EXHIBIT 10.14

                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   dated as of

                                  April 1, 1997

                                      among

                          PATINA OIL & GAS CORPORATION,

                                  as Borrower,

             The Financial Institutions Listed on Schedule 1 hereto,
                                    as Banks,

                    TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                            as Administrative Agent,

                           NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.,
                              as Documentary Agent,

                                       and

                     WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., CIBC, INC., and
                        CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,

                                  as Co-Agents

                                  $140,000,000


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE

ARTICLE I TERMS DEFINED....................................................... 2

     SECTION 1.1. DEFINITIONS................................................. 2
                  -----------
     SECTION 1.2. ACCOUNTING TERMS AND DETERMINATIONS........................ 20
                  -----------------------------------

ARTICLE II THE CREDIT FACILITIES............................................. 20

     SECTION 2.1. COMMITMENT................................................. 20
                  ----------
     SECTION 2.2. METHOD OF BORROWING........................................ 22
                  -------------------
     SECTION 2.3. METHOD OF REQUESTING LETTERS OF CREDIT..................... 23
                  --------------------------------------
     SECTION 2.4. NOTES...................................................... 24
                  -----
     SECTION 2.5. INTEREST RATES; PAYMENTS................................... 24
                      ------------------------
     SECTION 2.6. MANDATORY TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS; TERMINATION DATE AND
                  ----------------------------------------------------------
                  MATURITY................................................... 26
     SECTION 2.7. VOLUNTARY REDUCTION OF TOTAL COMMITMENT.................... 26
     SECTION 2.8. APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.................................... 26
     SECTION 2.9. COMMITMENT FEE............................................. 26
     SECTION 2.10. AGENCY AND OTHER FEES..................................... 26

ARTICLE III GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................... 27

     SECTION 3.1. DELIVERY AND ENDORSEMENT OF NOTES...........................27
                  ---------------------------------
     SECTION 3.2. GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO PAYMENTS...........................27
                  ---------------------------------
     SECTION 3.3. FUNDING LOSSES............................................. 28
                  --------------
SECTION 3.4. FOREIGN LENDERS, PARTICIPANTS, AND ASSIGNEES.................... 28
             --------------------------------------------

ARTICLE IV BORROWING BASE.................................................... 29

     SECTION 4.1. RESERVE AND RELATED ASSET REPORT; PROPOSED BORROWING BASE.. 29
                  ---------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 4.2. DETERMINATION OF BORROWING BASE................................. 29
                  -------------------------------
SECTION 4.3. SPECIAL DETERMINATION OF BORROWING BASE......................... 30
             ---------------------------------------
SECTION 4.4. BORROWING BASE DEFICIENCY....................................... 30
             -------------------------
SECTION 4.5. INITIAL BORROWING BASE.......................................... 31
             ----------------------

ARTICLE V COLLATERAL......................................................... 31

     SECTION 5.1. SECURITY................................................... 31
                  --------
     SECTION 5.2. GUARANTEE.................................................. 31
                  ---------


1/230128.7

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS.......................................... 32

     SECTION 6.1. RESTATEMENT OF EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT/CONDITIONS TO INITIAL
                  EXTENSION OF CREDIT........................................ 32

     SECTION 6.2. CONDITIONS TO EACH BORROWING AND EACH LETTER OF CREDIT..... 34
                  ------------------------------------------------------

     SECTION 6.3. AGREEMENTS REGARDING INITIAL BORROWING..................... 35
                  --------------------------------------

ARTICLE VII REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................... 35

     SECTION 7.1. CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND POWER.............................. 35
                  -----------------------------
     SECTION 7.2. EXISTENCE AND POWER (OTHER COMPANIES)...................... 36
                  -------------------------------------
     SECTION 7.3. CORPORATE, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, PARTNERSHIP AND
               GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION; CONTRAVENTION..................... 36

     SECTION 7.4. BINDING EFFECT............................................. 36
     SECTION 7.5. FINANCIAL INFORMATION...................................... 36
     SECTION 7.6. LITIGATION................................................. 37
     SECTION 7.7. ERISA...................................................... 37
     SECTION 7.8. TAXES AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS............................ 37
     SECTION 7.9. TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS................................. 37
     SECTION 7.10. BUSINESS; COMPLIANCE...................................... 37
     SECTION 7.11. LICENSES, PERMITS, ETC.................................... 38
     SECTION 7.12. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW....................................... 38
     SECTION 7.13. OWNERSHIP INTERESTS....................................... 38
     SECTION 7.14. FULL DISCLOSURE........................................... 38
     SECTION 7.15. SUBSIDIARIES.............................................. 39
     SECTION 7.16. OBLIGATIONS OF UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.................. 39
     SECTION 7.17. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS..................................... 39
     SECTION 7.18. MERGER DOCUMENTS.......................................... 40
     SECTION 7.19. BURDENSOME OBLIGATIONS.................................... 40
     SECTION 7.20. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.................................... 40

     ARTICLE VIII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...................................... 40

     SECTION 8.1. INFORMATION................................................ 40
                  -----------
     SECTION 8.2. BUSINESS OF BORROWER....................................... 42
                  --------------------
     SECTION 8.3. MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE................................... 42
                  ------------------------
     SECTION 8.4. TITLE DATA................................................. 43
                  ----------
     SECTION 8.5. RIGHT OF INSPECTION........................................ 43
                  -------------------
     SECTION 8.6. MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE................................... 43
                  ------------------------
     SECTION 8.7. PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS................................ 44
                  ---------------------------
     SECTION 8.8. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND DOCUMENTS......................... 44
                  ----------------------------------
     SECTION 8.9. OPERATION OF PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT...................... 44
                  ------------------------------------

1/230128.7

     SECTION 8.10. FURTHER ASSURANCES........................................ 45
                   ------------------
     SECTION 8.11. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW COMPLIANCE AND INDEMNITY................ 45
                   ------------------------------------------

ARTICLE IX NEGATIVE COVENANTS................................................ 46

     SECTION 9.1. DEBT OF BORROWER AND ITS RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES........... 46
     SECTION 9.2. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS........................................ 46
     SECTION 9.3. NEGATIVE PLEDGE............................................ 47
     SECTION 9.4. CONSOLIDATIONS AND MERGERS................................. 47
     SECTION 9.5. ASSET DISPOSITIONS......................................... 47
     SECTION 9.6. AMENDMENTS TO MATERIAL DOCUMENTS........................... 47
     SECTION 9.7. USE OF PROCEEDS............................................ 48
     SECTION 9.8. INVESTMENTS................................................ 48
     SECTION 9.9. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES............................... 48
     SECTION 9.10. PLANS..................................................... 48
     SECTION 9.11. OIL AND GAS HEDGE TRANSACTIONS............................ 48
     SECTION 9.12. OBLIGATIONS OF UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.................. 49
     SECTION 9.13. ACQUISITIONS.............................................. 49
     SECTION 9.14. OPERATING LEASES.......................................... 49
     SECTION 9.15. SPECULATIVE HEDGE TRANSACTIONS............................ 49

ARTICLE X FINANCIAL COVENANTS................................................ 49

ARTICLE XI DEFAULTS.......................................................... 50

     SECTION 11.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT......................................... 50
                   -----------------

ARTICLE XII AGENTS........................................................... 53

     SECTION 12.1. APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION............................. 53
                   -----------------------------
     SECTION 12.2. AGENTS AND AFFILIATES..................................... 53
                   ---------------------
     SECTION 12.3. ACTION BY AGENTS.......................................... 53
                   ----------------
     SECTION 12.4. CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS................................. 54
                   -------------------------
     SECTION 12.5. LIABILITY OF AGENTS....................................... 54
                   -------------------
     SECTION 12.6. DELEGATION OF DUTIES...................................... 54
                   --------------------
     SECTION 12.7. INDEMNIFICATION........................................... 54
                   ---------------
     SECTION 12.8. CREDIT DECISION........................................... 54
                   ---------------
     SECTION 12.9. SUCCESSOR AGENT........................................... 55
                   ---------------

ARTICLE XIII PROTECTION OF YIELD; CHANGE IN LAWS............................. 55

     SECTION 13.1. BASIS FOR DETERMINING INTEREST RATE APPLICABLE TO EURODOLLAR
     TRANCHES INADEQUATE..................................................... 55

1/230128.7

     SECTION 13.2. ILLEGALITY OF EURODOLLAR LOANS............................ 56
                   ------------------------------
     SECTION 13.3. INCREASED COST OF EURODOLLAR TRANCHE...................... 56
                   ------------------------------------
     SECTION 13.4. ADJUSTED BASE RATE TRANCHE SUBSTITUTED FOR AFFECTED 
                   EURODOLLAR TRANCHE........................................ 57

     SECTION 13.5. CAPITAL ADEQUACY.......................................... 58
                   ----------------
     SECTION 13.6. TAXES..................................................... 59
                   -----
     SECTION 13.7. DISCRETION OF BANKS AS TO MANNER OF FUNDING............... 59
                   -------------------------------------------

ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS.................................................... 59

     SECTION 14.1. NOTICES................................................... 59
     SECTION 14.2. NO WAIVERS................................................ 60
     SECTION 14.3. EXPENSES; DOCUMENTARY TAXES; INDEMNIFICATION.............. 60
     SECTION 14.4. RIGHT AND SHARING OF SET-OFFS............................. 60
     SECTION 14.5. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.................................... 61
     SECTION 14.6. SURVIVAL.................................................. 61
     SECTION 14.7. LIMITATION ON INTEREST.................................... 62
     SECTION 14.8. INVALID PROVISIONS........................................ 62
     SECTION 14.9. WAIVER OF CONSUMER CREDIT LAWS............................ 62
     SECTION 14.10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS................................... 62
     SECTION 14.11. TEXAS LAW................................................ 64
     SECTION 14.12. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF IMMUNITIES............ 64
     SECTION 14.13. COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.............................. 64
     SECTION 14.14. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES............................. 65
     SECTION 14.15. COMPLETE AGREEMENT....................................... 65
     SECTION 14.16. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..................................... 65

1/230128.7

                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit A      Note
Exhibit B      Pledge Agreement
Exhibit C      Restricted Subsidiary Guaranty
Exhibit D      Request for Borrowing
Exhibit E      Request for Letter of Credit
Exhibit F      Rollover Notice
Exhibit G      Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit H      Certificate of Ownership Interests

1/230128.7


                                    SCHEDULES

Schedule 1     Financial Institutions
Schedule 2     Investments
Schedule 3     Taxes
Schedule 4     Subsidiaries
Schedule 5     Obligations
Schedule 6     Debt

1/230128.7

                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT  AGREEMENT  (this  "AGREEMENT") is entered
into  effective  as of the  1st  day of  April,  1997,  among  Patina  Oil & Gas
Corporation,  a Delaware corporation ("BORROWER"),  Texas Commerce Bank National
Association,  as Administrative Agent ("ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT"),  NationsBank of
Texas, N.A., as Documentary Agent ("DOCUMENTARY AGENT"), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
CIBC, Inc. and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch,  as Co-Agents  ("CO-AGENTS") and
the financial  institutions listed on SCHEDULE 1 hereto as Banks (individually a
"BANK" and collectively "BANKS")

                                W I T N E S E T H

     WHEREAS,  Borrower,  Gerrity Oil & Gas Corporation,  a Delaware corporation
("GERRITY") and SOCO Wattenberg Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("SWAT"), as
Borrowers (collectively, referred to herein as the "EXISTING BORROWERS"), Agents
and  the  financial   institutions   listed  on  Schedule  1  thereto  as  Banks
(collectively  referred  to herein as  "EXISTING  BANKS")  are  parties  to that
certain  Credit  Agreement  dated as of May 2, 1996, as heretofore  amended (the
"EXISTING  CREDIT  AGREEMENT"),  pursuant to which credit is  outstanding to the
Existing Borrowers; and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant  to that  certain  Merger  Certificate  (as  hereinafter
defined),  Gerrity will merge with and into  Borrower  with  Borrower  being the
surviving corporation; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated effective
as of April 1, 1997 (the "BANK ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT"),  Bank One, Texas, N.A., a
national  banking  association  ("BANK ONE") has purchased  and assumed  certain
rights and interests of Existing Banks under the Existing Credit Agreement; and

     WHEREAS,  immediately  after  giving  effect  to the  Merger  and the  Bank
Assignment (as each term is hereinafter defined),  but subject to the conditions
precedent  set forth herein,  Borrower,  Banks  (including  Bank One) and Agents
desire to amend and  restate the  Existing  Credit  Agreement  in it entirety in
order, among other things, (a) to amend and restate the aggregate Commitments of
Banks,  and (b) to  modify  certain  other  provisions  of the  Existing  Credit
Agreement.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the premises,  the  representations,
warranties,  covenants  and  agreements  contained  herein,  and other  good and
valuable   consideration,   the  receipt  and   adequacy  of  which  are  hereby
acknowledged,  Borrower,  Administrative Agent, Documentary Agent, Co-Agents and
Banks  hereby  agree that the Existing  Credit  Agreement is hereby  amended and
restated in its entirety on the terms and conditions set forth herein. It is the
intention  of  Borrower,  Agents and Banks  that this  Agreement  supersede  and
replace the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety;  provided,  that (a) such
amendment and  restatement  shall operate to renew,  amend and modify the rights
and obligations of the parties under the Existing  Credit  Agreement as provided
herein,  but shall not effect a novation thereof,  and (b) except for such Liens
securing the Obligations  under and as defined in the Existing Credit  Agreement
which are no longer required

1/230128.7
                                        1

pursuant  to the terms of this  Agreement  (and which are being  terminated  and
released  pursuant to express written  instruments to such effect duly filed and
recorded in the appropriate  jurisdictions),  the Liens securing the Obligations
under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement shall not be extinguished,
but shall be carried  forward  and shall  secure  such  Obligations  as renewed,
amended,   restated  and  modified  hereby.   Borrower,   Administrative  Agent,
Documentary Agent, Co-Agents and Banks hereby further agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                  TERMS DEFINED

     SECTION 1.1.  DEFINITIONS.  The following  terms, as used herein,  have the
following meanings:

     "Adjusted Base Rate" means, on any day, the greater of (a) the Base Rate in
effect on such day,  or (b) the sum of (i) the  Federal  Funds Rate in effect on
such day, plus (ii) one half of one percent  (.5%).  Each change in the Adjusted
Base Rate shall become effective automatically and without notice to Borrower or
any Bank upon the effective date of each change in the Federal Funds Rate or the
Base Rate, as the case may be.

     "Adjusted Base Rate Tranche" means the portion of the principal of the Loan
bearing interest with reference to the Adjusted Base Rate.

     "Adjusted  Consolidated  EBITDA" means,  with respect to any Person for any
period,  Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period, adjusted to reflect
all revenues and expenses  (including lease operating expense,  severance Taxes,
additional  overhead and other  expenses)  attributable  to material oil and gas
properties  purchased by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries  after the first
day of such period as if such  properties  had been owned by such Person or such
Subsidiaries  on the  first  day of such  period.  As  used in this  definition,
"material oil and gas properties"  means oil and gas properties  purchased for a
purchase price of not less than $25,000,000.

     "Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate" applicable to any Interest Period, means a rate
per annum equal to the quotient obtained (rounded upwards, if necessary,  to the
next higher 1/16 of 1%) by dividing (a) the  applicable  Eurodollar  Rate by (b)
1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

     "Administrative  Agent" means Texas  Commerce Bank National  Association in
its  capacity  as  Administrative  Agent for Banks  hereunder  or any  successor
thereto.

     "Affiliate"  means, as to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, or any
other Person which,  directly or indirectly,  controls,  is controlled by, or is
under common  control with,  such Person.  For the purposes of this  definition,
"control"  (including with correlative  meanings,  the terms "controlled by" and
"under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the
possession,  directly  or  indirectly,  of the  power to  direct  or  cause  the
direction of the management

1/230128.7

                                        2

and policies of such Person,  whether through the ownership of voting securities
or partnership interests, or by contract or otherwise.

     "Agent" means any of the Administrative Agent, the Documentary Agent or any
Co-Agent, and "Agents" means the Administrative Agent, the Documentary Agent and
the Co-Agents collectively.

     "Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, including the
Schedules and Exhibits hereto,  as the same may be amended or supplemented  from
time to time.

     "Annualized"  means,  with respect to Adjusted  Consolidated  EBITDA of any
Person for a period of less than four (4) complete Fiscal Quarters, the Adjusted
Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for the number of complete Fiscal Quarters in
such period multiplied times a fraction,  the numerator of which is four (4) and
the  denominator  of which is the number of  complete  Fiscal  Quarters  in such
period.

     "Applicable  Environmental  Law" means any law, statute,  ordinance,  rule,
regulation, order or determination of any governmental authority or any board of
fire underwriters (or other body exercising  similar  functions),  affecting any
real or personal property owned,  operated or leased by any Company or any other
operation  of any  Company  in any  way  pertaining  to  health,  safety  or the
environment, including, without limitation, all applicable zoning ordinances and
building codes,  flood disaster laws and health,  safety and environmental  laws
and regulations, and further including without limitation, (a) the Comprehensive
Environmental Response,  Compensation,  and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by
the Superfund  Amendments and  Reauthorization Act of 1986 (as amended from time
to time,  herein  referred to as "CERCLA"),  (b) the Resource  Conservation  and
Recovery  Act of 1976,  as amended by the Used Oil  Recycling  Act of 1980,  the
Solid Waste  Recovery Act of 1976, as amended by the Solid Waste Disposal Act of
1980, and the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (as amended from time
to time,  herein  referred to as "RCRA"),  (c) the Safe  Drinking  Water Act, as
amended,  (d) the Toxic  Substances  Control Act, as amended,  (e) the Clean Air
Act, as amended, (f) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended,
(g) the laws,  rules and regulations of any state having  jurisdiction  over any
real or personal property owned,  operated or leased by any Company or any other
operation of any Company which relate to health,  safety or the environment,  as
each may be amended from time to time,  and (h) any federal,  state or municipal
laws,  ordinances or regulations  which may now or hereafter  require removal of
asbestos or other hazardous  wastes or impose any liability  related to asbestos
or  other  hazardous  wastes.  The  terms  "HAZARDOUS  SUBSTANCE",  "PETROLEUM",
"RELEASE" and "THREATENED  RELEASE" have the meanings  specified in CERCLA,  and
the terms  "SOLID  WASTE"  and  "DISPOSAL"  (or  "DISPOSED")  have the  meanings
specified in RCRA;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  in the event  either  CERCLA or RCRA is
amended so as to broaden the meaning of any term defined  thereby,  such broader
meaning  shall apply  subsequent to the effective  date of such  amendment  with
respect to all provisions of this Agreement;  and PROVIDED  FURTHER THAT, to the
extent  the laws of the  state in which  any real or  personal  property  owned,
operated or leased by any Company is located  establish a meaning for "hazardous
substance", "petroleum", "release", "solid waste" or "disposal" which is broader
than that specified

1/230128.7
                                        3


in either  CERCLA or RCRA,  such broader  meaning  shall apply in so far as such
broader meaning is applicable to the real or personal  property owned,  operated
or leased by such Company and located in such state.

     "Applicable  Margin" means,  for purposes of determining  the interest rate
applicable  to the Loan at any time,  the  amount  set forth in the table  below
under the  applicable  Type of Tranche  and  opposite  the  applicable  Ratio of
Consolidated Funded Debt to Adjusted  Consolidated EBITDA. The Applicable Margin
in effect at any time shall be based on the Ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to
Adjusted  Consolidated EBITDA as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter then most
recently ended for which Borrower has provided to Banks the financial statements
required  by SECTION  8.1(B)  hereof (in the case of the first  three (3) Fiscal
Quarters  of each  Fiscal  Year) or  SECTION  8.1(A)  hereof (in the case of the
fourth Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year).




      Ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to                    Adjusted Base Rate          Eurodollar
          Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA                             Tranches                Tranches

                                                                                     
less than or equal to 1.5 to 1                                        0                      .625%
greater than 1.5 to 1 less than or equal to 2.0 to 1                  0                       .75%
greater than 2.0 to 1 less than or equal to 2.5 to 1                  0                      .875%
greater than 2.5 to 1 less than or equal to 3.0 to 1                  0                     1.000%
greater than 3.0 to 1                                                 0                     1.125%
=======================================================             ====                   =======



     "Approved Petroleum Engineer" means any one or more of Netherland, Sewell &
Associates,  Inc., Ryder Scott Company, Williamson Petroleum Consultants,  Inc.,
Barnes and Click, Inc., or such other reputable firm(s) of independent petroleum
engineers  as  shall  be  approved  by  Required  Banks  and,  as to oil and gas
properties  aggregating not more than twenty percent (20%) of the total value of
Borrower's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' oil and gas properties (based on the
Recognized  Value),  Borrower's  in-house  staff  shall be  deemed  an  Approved
Petroleum Engineer.

     "Assignee" has the meaning given such term in SECTION 14.10(C).

     "Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement" has the meaning given such term in
SECTION 14.10(C).

     "Authorized Officer" means, as to any Person, its Chairman,  Vice-Chairman,
President,  Executive  Vice  President(s),  Senior  Vice  President(s)  or  Vice
President duly authorized to act on behalf of such Person.

     "Availability" means, at any time, (a) the Borrowing Base in effect at such
time, minus (b) the Outstanding Credit at such time.

1/230128.7

                                        4

     "Bank"  means any  financial  institution  listed on  SCHEDULE  1 hereto as
having a Commitment,  and its successors and assigns, and "Banks" shall mean all
Banks.

     "Bank Assignment  Agreement"  means that certain  Assignment and Assumption
Agreement  dated  effective as of April 1, 1997,  entered into by and among Bank
One and Existing Banks, pursuant to which Bank One purchased and assumed certain
rights and interests of Existing Banks under the Existing Credit Agreement.

     "Bank One" means Bank One, Texas, N.A., a national banking association.

     "Base Rate" means the floating  rate of interest  established  from time to
time by Administrative Agent as its "prime rate" of interest,  which rate is not
the lowest rate of interest which Administrative  Agent charges,  each change in
the Base Rate to become  effective  without  notice to Borrower on the effective
date of each such change.

     "Borrower" means Patina Oil & Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

     "Borrowing"  means any  disbursement  to Borrower  under, or to satisfy the
obligations of any Company under,  any of the Loan Papers.  Any Borrowing  which
will  constitute  an Adjusted Base Rate Tranche is referred to herein as a "Base
Rate Borrowing," and any Borrowing which will constitute a Eurodollar Tranche is
referred to herein as a "Eurodollar Borrowing."

     "Borrowing Base" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 4.2 hereof.

     "Borrowing Base Deficiency"  means, as of any date, the amount,  if any, by
which (a) the Outstanding Credit on such date, exceeds (b) the Borrowing Base in
effect on such date; provided, that, for purposes of computing the existence and
amount of any  Borrowing  Base  Deficiency,  Letter of Credit  Exposure will not
constitute  Outstanding  Credit to the  extent  funds have been  deposited  with
Administrative  Agent to  secure  such  Letter of Credit  Exposure  pursuant  to
SECTION 2.1(B).

     "Borrowing Date" means the Eurodollar Business Day or the Domestic Business
Day,  as the case may be,  upon which the  proceeds  of any  Borrowing  are made
available to Borrower or to satisfy the obligation of any Company.

     "Capital  Lease"  means,  for any  Person  as of any  date,  any  lease  of
property, real or personal, which would be capitalized on a balance sheet of the
lessee prepared as of such date in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

     "Closing Date" means April 1, 1997.

     "Co-Agents"  means Wells Fargo Bank,  N.A.,  CIBC, Inc. and Credit Lyonnais
New York Branch in their  capacities  as Co-Agents  hereunder  or any  successor
thereto, and "Co-Agent" means any one of the foregoing. 1/230128.7

                                        5

     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     "Commitment" means, with respect to any Bank, the amount set forth opposite
such  Bank's  name on SCHEDULE 1 hereto,  as such  amount may be  terminated  or
reduced from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.

     "Commitment Fee Percentage" means, at any time, the amount set forth in the
table  below  opposite  the  applicable  Ratio of  Consolidated  Funded  Debt to
Adjusted  Consolidated Cash Flow. The Commitment Fee Percentage in effect at any
time  pursuant to the table  below  shall be based on the Ratio of  Consolidated
Funded  Debt to  Adjusted  Consolidated  EBITDA as of the last day of the Fiscal
Quarter then most  recently  ended for which  Borrower has provided to Banks the
financial statements required by SECTION 8.1(B) hereof (in the case of the first
three (3) Fiscal  Quarters of each Fiscal Year) or SECTION 8.1(A) hereof (in the
case of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year).




     Ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to                      Commitment Fee
          Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA                            Percentage
                                                                
less than or equal to 2.5 to 1                                      .25%
greater than 2.5 to 1 less than or equal to 3.0 to 1                .30%
greater than 3 to 1                                                .375%
=======================================================          =======


     "Commitment  Percentage"  means,  with respect to any Bank at any time, the
Commitment Percentage for such Bank set forth on SCHEDULE 1 hereto.

     "Common Stock" means Borrower's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

     "Companies"  means  Borrower  and all direct and indirect  Subsidiaries  of
Borrower whether  existing on the date hereof or hereafter  acquired or created,
and "Company" means any one of the foregoing.

     "Consolidated Current Assets" means, for any Person at any time, the sum of
(a) consolidated current assets of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
including  accounts or notes receivable (if properly reserved in accordance with
generally accepted accounting  principles),  but excluding (i) prepaid expenses,
and (ii) assets held for resale, plus (b) the Availability.

     "Consolidated  Current  Liabilities" means, for any Person at any time, the
current  liabilities of such Person and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  at such
time, but excluding the current portion of the principal  outstanding  under the
Loan.

     "Consolidated   EBITDA"  means,   for  any  Person  for  any  period,   the
Consolidated  Net  Income  of such  Person  for such  period,  plus  each of the
following determined for such Person and its

1/230128.7

                                        6

Consolidated  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis for such  period:  (a) any
provision for (or less any benefit from) income or franchise  Taxes  included in
determining  Consolidated  Net Income;  (b)  Consolidated  Net Interest  Expense
deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income; (c) depreciation, depletion and
amortization  expense deducted in determining  Consolidated Net Income;  and (d)
other noncash charges  deducted in determining  Consolidated  Net Income and not
already deducted in accordance with clauses (b) and (c) of this definition.

     "Consolidated  Free Cash Flow"  means,  for  Borrower  for any period,  the
remainder  of (a)  Borrower's  Consolidated  EBITDA for such  period,  minus (b)
Borrower's  Consolidated  Net Interest  Expense for such  period,  minus (c) all
income  and  franchise   Taxes  actually  paid  in  cash  by  Borrower  and  its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries  during such period,  minus (d) all  dividends on the
Preferred Stock paid during such period.

     "Consolidated  Funded  Debt" means,  for Borrower at any time,  all Debt of
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such time.

     "Consolidated  Net Income" means, for any Person as of any period,  the net
income  (or loss) of such  Person  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for such
period determined in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles,
but excluding:  (a) the income of any other Person (other than its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries)  in which such Person or any of its  Subsidiaries has an ownership
interest,  unless received by such Person or its Consolidated  Subsidiaries in a
cash distribution;  (b) any after-tax gains attributable to asset  dispositions;
(c) to the extent not included in clauses (a) and (b) above,  any  after-tax (i)
extraordinary  gains, (ii) non-cash gains or (iii)  nonrecurring  gains; and (d)
non-cash  or  nonrecurring  charges  due to  changes  in  accounting  principles
required by generally accepted accounting principles.

     "Consolidated  Net Interest  Expense" means, for any Person for any period,
the remainder of the following for such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
for such period: (a) interest expense, minus (b) interest income.

     "Consolidated  Subsidiary" or  "Consolidated  Subsidiaries"  means, for any
Person,  at any time, any Subsidiary or other entity the accounts of which would
be  consolidated  with  those  of  such  Person  in its  consolidated  financial
statements as of such time.

     "Consolidated  Total Capital" means, for any Person as of any date, the sum
of (a)  the  Consolidated  Funded  Debt  of such  Person  and  its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  as of such date, and (b) the  shareholders'  equity of such Person
which would be reflected on a consolidated  balance sheet of such Person and its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.

     "Conversion Date" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 2.5(C).

1/230128.7

                                        7

     "Credit  Period" means the period  commencing on the date hereof and ending
on the Termination Date.

     "Current Financials" means the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower as of
December 31, 1996,  and the related  consolidated  statements of operations  and
cash flow for the Fiscal Year then ended,  reported on by Arthur Anderson,  LLP,
copies of which have been provided to Banks.

     "Current Reserve Report" means that certain Estimate of Reserves and Future
Revenue dated February 5, 1997,  prepared as of December 31, 1996 by Netherland,
Sewell & Associates, Inc. setting forth Netherland,  Sewell & Associates, Inc.'s
analysis  of certain oil and gas  properties  owned by  Borrower  (after  giving
effect to the Merger) and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996.

     "Debt" of any Person means,  without  duplication,  (a) all  obligations of
such Person for borrowed money,  (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds,   debentures,   notes  or  other  similar  instruments,   (c)  all  other
indebtedness  (including  obligations  under Capital Leases,  other than Capital
Leases which are usual and customary oil and gas leases) of such Person on which
interest  charges are  customarily  paid or accrued,  (d) all Guarantees by such
Person, (e) the unfunded or unreimbursed portion of all letters of credit issued
for the  account  of such  Person,  and (f) all  liability  of such  Person as a
general  partner of a partnership  for  obligations  of such  partnership of the
nature described in (a) through (e) preceding.

     "Default"  means  any  condition  or event  which  constitutes  an Event of
Default  or which  with the  giving of  notice  or lapse of time or both  would,
unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

     "Determination" means any Periodic Determination or Special Determination.

     "Determination  Date"  means  (a) each May 1 and  November  1, and (b) with
respect to any Special Determination,  the first day of the first month which is
not less than twenty (20) Domestic Business Days following the date of a request
for  a  Special  Determination.   The  Closing  Date  shall  also  constitute  a
Determination Date for purposes of this Agreement.

     "Distribution" by any Person, means (a) with respect to any stock issued by
such  Person  or any  partnership  interest  of  such  Person,  the  retirement,
redemption,  purchase,  or other  acquisition  for  value  of any such  stock or
partnership  interest,  (b) the  declaration or payment of any dividend or other
distribution on or with respect to any stock or any partnership  interest of any
Person,  and (c) any other  payment by such Person with respect to such stock or
partnership interest.

     "Documentary  Agent" means  NationsBank  of Texas,  N.A. in its capacity as
Documentary Agent for Banks hereunder or any successor thereto.

1/230128.7

                                        8

        "Domestic Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which national banks in Houston, Texas, are authorized by law to close.

     "Domestic  Lending Office" means, as to each Bank, its office identified on
SCHEDULE 1 hereto as its  Domestic  Lending  Office or such other office as such
Bank may  hereafter  designate  as its  Domestic  Lending  Office  by  notice to
Borrower and Administrative Agent.

     "Environmental Liability" means any liability, loss, fine, penalty, charge,
lien, damage,  cost, or expense of any kind that results directly or indirectly,
in whole or in part (a) from the violation of any Applicable  Environmental Law,
(b) from the release or threatened release of any hazardous substance,  (c) from
removal,  remediation, or other actions in response to the release or threatened
release of any hazardous  substance,  (d) from actual or  threatened  damages to
natural resources, (e) from the imposition of injunctive relief or other orders,
(f) from personal injury,  death, or property damage which occurs as a result of
any Company's use, storage,  handling, or the release or threatened release of a
hazardous substance,  or (g) from any environmental  investigation performed at,
on, or for any real property owned by any Company.

     "ERISA"  means the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as
amended.

     "Eurodollar  Business  Day"  means  any  Domestic  Business  Day  on  which
commercial  banks are open for  international  business  (including  dealings in
dollar deposits) in the applicable Eurodollar interbank market.

     "Eurodollar  Lending Office" means, as to each Bank, its office,  branch or
affiliate  located  at its  address  identified  on  SCHEDULE  1  hereto  as its
Eurodollar Lending Office or such other office, branch or affiliate of such Bank
as it may  hereafter  designate as its  Eurodollar  Lending  Office by notice to
Borrower and Administrative Agent.

     "Eurodollar  Rate"  applicable  to any  Interest  Period means the rate per
annum determined by Administrative  Agent (rounded upward, if necessary,  to the
next  higher  1/16  of  1%)  at  which   deposits  in  dollars  are  offered  to
Administrative  Agent by first class banks in the  eurodollar  interbank  market
which has been  selected by  Administrative  Agent at  approximately  10:00 a.m.
(Houston,  Texas time) two (2) Eurodollar  Business Days before the first day of
such Interest Period in an amount approximately equal to the principal amount of
the  Eurodollar  Tranche  to which  such  Interest  Period is to apply and for a
period of time comparable to such Interest  Period.  Administrative  Agent shall
determine  the  Eurodollar  Rate and shall notify  Borrower and Banks as soon as
practicable.

     "Eurodollar   Reserve   Percentage"  means  for  any  day  that  percentage
(expressed  as a decimal)  which is in effect on such day, as  prescribed by the
Board  of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System  (or any  successor)  for
determining  the maximum  reserve  requirement  for a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System in Houston, Texas in respect of "Eurocurrency liabilities" (or in
respect  of any  other  category  of  liabilities  which  includes  deposits  by
reference to which the interest rate on

1/230128.7

                                        9

Eurodollar  Tranches is  determined  or any category of  extensions of credit or
other assets which includes  loans by a non-United  States office of any Bank to
United  States  residents).  The  Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate  shall be  adjusted
automatically  on and as of the effective  date of any change in the  Eurodollar
Reserve Percentage.

     "Eurodollar  Tranche"  means,  with  respect to any  Interest  Period,  any
portion of the principal amount  outstanding under the Loan which bears interest
at a rate  computed  by  reference  to the  Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate  for such
Interest Period.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 11.1 hereof.

     "Exempt  Transfer"  means any transfer of oil and gas properties or Related
Assets (a) by Borrower to any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries,  or (b) by any of
the Restricted  Subsidiaries of Borrower to Borrower or to any other  Restricted
Subsidiary of Borrower.

     "Exhibit"  refers to an exhibit attached to this Agreement and incorporated
herein by reference, unless specifically provided otherwise.

     "Existing Banks" means the financial  institutions  listed on SCHEDULE 1 of
the Existing Credit Agreement.

     "Existing  Borrowers"  means  the  Borrowers  under and as  defined  in the
Existing Credit Agreement.

     "Existing Credit Agreement" means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
May 2, 1996,  by and among  Existing  Borrowers,  Agents and  Existing  Banks as
amended by that certain (i) First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June
28, 1996,  by and among  Existing  Borrowers,  Agents and Existing  Banks,  (ii)
Second  Amendment to Credit  Agreement dated as of October 8, 1996, by and among
Existing  Borrowers,  Agents and Existing Banks, (iii) Third Amendment to Credit
Agreement dated as of November 1, 1996, by and among Existing Borrowers,  Agents
and Existing Banks,  and (iv) Fourth  Amendment to Credit  Agreement dated as of
February 18, 1997, by and among Existing Borrowers, Agents and Existing Banks.

     "Existing  Mortgages"  means  the  mortgages,   deeds  of  trust,  security
agreements, assignments, pledges and other documents, instruments and agreements
which  establish  Liens  on oil and gas  properties  owned  by  Gerrity  and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  and on  Gerrity  Related  Assets  (as  defined  in the
Existing  Credit  Agreement) to secure  certain  obligations  under the Existing
Credit Agreement.

     "Federal  Funds  Rate"  means,  for any day,  the rate per  annum  (rounded
upwards, if necessary,  to the nearest 1/16 of 1%) equal to the weighted average
of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve  System  arranged by federal  funds brokers on such day, as published by
the  Federal  Reserve  Bank  of New  York  on the  Domestic  Business  Day  next
succeeding  such day,  provided that (a) if the day for which such rate is to be
determined is not a

1/230128.7

                                       10

Domestic Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on
such transactions on the next preceding Domestic Business Day as so published on
the  next  succeeding  Domestic  Business  Day,  and (b) if such  rate is not so
published on such next succeeding  Domestic Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate
for any day shall be the average  rate charged to  Administrative  Agent on such
day on such transactions as determined by Administrative Agent.

     "Fiscal  Quarter"  means the three (3) month periods  ending March 31, June
30, September 30 or December 31 of each Fiscal Year.

     "Fiscal Year" means a twelve (12) month period ending December 31.

     "Gerrity"  means  Gerrity Oil & Gas  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation,
which will be merged with an into Borrower  pursuant to the Merger with Borrower
being the surviving corporation.

     "Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person directly or indirectly  guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of
any other Person and,  without  limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  any
obligation,  direct or indirect,  contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Debt or other obligation (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements,
by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to
take-or-pay,  or to maintain financial statement conditions, by "comfort letter"
or other  similar  undertaking  of support or otherwise) or (b) entered into for
the purpose of  assuring  in any other  manner the obligee of such Debt or other
obligation  of the payment  thereof or to protect such  obligee  against loss in
respect  thereof (in whole or in part),  provided that the term Guarantee  shall
not include  endorsements  for  collection or deposit in the ordinary  course of
business.

     "Indenture"  means that certain Indenture dated as of June 30, 1994, by and
between  Gerrity and Chemical Bank as Trustee,  as  supplemented  and amended by
that certain  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of March 31, 1997,  by and among
Borrower,  Gerrity  and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank  (formerly  known as Chemical
Bank), as Trustee,  which  Indenture sets forth certain terms  applicable to the
Subordinate Notes.

     "Initial   Borrowing  Base"  means  a  Borrowing  Base  in  the  amount  of
$120,000,000,  which  shall be in effect  during  the period  commencing  on the
Closing Date and continuing  until the first Special  Determination  or Periodic
Determination after the Closing Date.

     "Interest Option" has the meaning given such term in SECTION 2.5(C).

     "Interest  Period"  means,  with respect to each  Eurodollar  Tranche,  the
period commencing on the Borrowing or Conversion Date applicable to such Tranche
and ending one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, as Borrower
may elect in the  applicable  Request  for  Borrowing;  provided  that:  (a) any
Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Eurodollar

1/230128.7

                                       11

Business Day shall be extended to the next  succeeding  Eurodollar  Business Day
unless such  Eurodollar  Business Day falls in another  calendar month, in which
case such Interest  Period shall end on the next preceding  Eurodollar  Business
Day; (b) any Interest Period which begins on the last Eurodollar Business Day of
a calendar  month (or on a day for which there is no  numerically  corresponding
day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall,  subject to
clause (c) below,  end on the last Eurodollar  Business Day of a calendar month;
(c) if any Interest  Period includes a date on which any payment of principal of
the Loan subject to such  Eurodollar  Tranche is required to be made  hereunder,
but does not end on such date, then (i) the principal  amount of each Eurodollar
Tranche  required to be repaid on such date shall have an Interest Period ending
on such date, and (ii) the remainder of each such Eurodollar  Tranche shall have
an Interest  Period  determined as set forth above;  and (d) no Interest  Period
shall extend past the expiration of the Credit Period.

     "Investment"  means,  with  respect  to  any  Person,  any  loan,  advance,
extension of credit,  capital  contribution to, investment in or purchase of the
stock  securities  of,  or  interests  in,  any  other  Person;  provided,  that
"Investment"  shall not include  current  customer and trade  accounts which are
payable in accordance with customary trade terms.

     "Lending  Office" means, as to any Bank, its Domestic Lending Office or its
Eurodollar Lending Office, as the context may require.

     "Letter of Credit  Exposure" of any Bank means,  collectively,  such Bank's
aggregate participation in the unfunded portion of Letters of Credit outstanding
at any time.

     "Letter of Credit Issuer" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 2.1(B).

     "Letters of Credit" means,  collectively,  letters of credit issued for the
account of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to SECTION 2.1(B).

     "Lien" means with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security  interest  or  encumbrance  of any kind in respect of such  asset.  For
purposes of this Agreement, Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to own
subject to a Lien any asset which is acquired or held subject to the interest of
a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement,  capital lease or other
title retention agreement relating to such asset.

     "Loan" means the revolving  credit loan made by Banks to Borrower  pursuant
to the Commitment.

     "Loan Papers" means this  Agreement,  the Notes,  the SWAT  Guarantee,  the
Pledge Agreement, and all other certificates, documents or instruments delivered
in connection with this Agreement,  as the foregoing may be amended from time to
time.

     "Margin  Regulations"  mean  Regulations  G,  T,  U and X of the  Board  of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

1/230128.7

                                       12

     "Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as defined in Regulation U.

     "Material   Agreement"  means  any  material  written  or  oral  agreement,
contract,  commitment,  or  understanding to which a Person is a party, by which
such  Person is  directly or  indirectly  bound,  or to which any assets of such
Person may be  subject,  which is not  cancelable  by such Person upon notice of
ninety  (90) days or less  without  liability  for  further  payment  other than
nominal penalty.

     "Material  Debt" means Debt of Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  issued
under one or more related or unrelated agreements or instruments in an aggregate
principal amount exceeding $2,500,000.

     "Maximum  Lawful Rate" means,  for each Bank,  the maximum rate (or, if the
context so permits or requires,  an amount  calculated at such rate) of interest
which,  at the time in  question  would not cause the  interest  charged  on the
portion of the Loan owed to such Bank at such time to exceed the maximum  amount
which such Bank would be allowed to contract  for,  charge,  take,  reserve,  or
receive under  applicable law after taking into account,  to the extent required
by  applicable  law,  any and all  relevant  payments or charges  under the Loan
Papers. To the extent the laws of the State of Texas are applicable for purposes
of  determining  the "Maximum  Lawful Rate," such term shall mean the "indicated
rate ceiling" from time to time in effect under Article 1.04,  Title 79, Revised
Civil  Statutes of Texas,  1925, as amended,  or, if permitted by applicable law
and effective  upon the giving of the notices  required by such Article 1.04 (or
effective  upon any other date  otherwise  specified  by  applicable  law),  the
"quarterly  ceiling" or  "annualized  ceiling" from time to time in effect under
such Article 1.04, whichever Administrative Agent (with the approval of Required
Banks) shall elect to  substitute  for the  "indicated  rate  ceiling," and VICE
VERSA,  each such substitution to have the effect provided in such Article 1.04,
and Administrative Agent (with the approval of Required Banks) shall be entitled
to make such  election  from  time to time and one or more  times  and,  without
notice to Borrower,  to leave any such  substitute rate in effect for subsequent
periods in accordance with subsection (h)(1) of such Article 1.04.

     "Merger"  means the merger of Gerrity with and into  Borrower  pursuant to,
and in  accordance  with,  the  Merger  Certificate,  with  Borrower  being  the
surviving corporation.

     "Merger Certificate" means that certain Certificate of Ownership and Merger
of Gerrity  Oil & Gas  Corporation  with and into  Patina Oil & Gas  Corporation
dated March 21, 1997, and filed on March 26, 1997 with the Secretary of State of
Delaware.

     "Merger  Documents"  means (a) the  Merger  Certificate,  and (b) all other
material  documents,  instruments  and  agreements  executed or delivered by any
Company pursuant to the Merger Certificate or the Merger.

     "Mortgages"  means  all  mortgages,  deeds of trust,  security  agreements,
pledge agreements and similar  documents,  instruments and agreements  creating,
evidencing, perfecting or otherwise

1/230128.7

                                       13

establishing  the Liens required by ARTICLE V hereof as may have been heretofore
or may  hereafter  be  granted or  assigned  to  Administrative  Agent to secure
payment of the Obligations or any part thereof.

     "Nonrecourse  Debt"  means Debt (a) secured  solely by the assets  acquired
with the proceeds of such Debt,  (b) with respect to which neither  Borrower nor
any of its  Subsidiaries  have any  liability  for  repayment  beyond the assets
pledged,  and (c) with  respect  to which  Borrower  has  delivered  to Banks an
opinion  in a form  satisfactory  to  Required  Banks of counsel  acceptable  to
Administrative Agent stating that such indebtedness meets the criteria set forth
in (a) and (b) preceding.

     "Note" means a promissory note of Borrower, payable to the order of a Bank,
in  substantially  the form of EXHIBIT A hereto,  evidencing  the  obligation of
Borrower to repay to such Bank its Commitment  Percentage of the Loan,  together
with all modifications,  extensions,  renewals and rearrangements  thereof,  and
"Notes" means all of such Notes.

     "Obligations"  means,  collectively,  all present and future  indebtedness,
obligations and  liabilities,  and all renewals and extensions  thereof,  or any
part thereof, of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including obligations
under  the  SWAT  Guarantee)  to any  Bank or to any  Affiliate  of any Bank (a)
arising pursuant to the Existing Credit  Agreement,  (b) arising pursuant to the
Loan Papers, and all interest accrued thereon and costs, expenses and attorneys'
fees incurred in the enforcement or collection thereof,  (c) arising under or in
connection with any Oil and Gas Hedge Transaction  entered into between Borrower
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Bank or any Affiliate of any Bank,
(d) arising under or in connection  with any interest  rate swap,  cap,  collar,
hedge or other interest rate protection  device entered into between Borrower or
any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  and any Bank or any Affiliate of any Bank,
and (e) arising under or in  connection  with any other  financial  "derivative"
product  provided  by any  Bank or any  Affiliate  of any  Bank to any  Company,
regardless of whether such indebtedness, obligations and liabilities are direct,
indirect, fixed, contingent,  liquidated,  unliquidated, joint, several or joint
and several. It is the intention of Borrower, Agents and Banks that Borrower and
its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  shall be  jointly  and  severally  liable for all
obligations of each other.

     "Oil and Gas  Hedge  Transactions"  means  transactions  pursuant  to which
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  hedge the price to be received by them for
future  production of hydrocarbons,  including price swap agreements under which
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  agree to pay a price for a specified amount
of  hydrocarbons  determined by reference to a recognized  market on a specified
future date and the contracting party agrees to pay Borrower or its Subsidiaries
a fixed price for the same or similar amount of hydrocarbons.

     "Operating Lease" means any lease, sublease, license or similar arrangement
(other than a Capital  Lease and other than  leases  with a primary  term of one
year or less or which can be terminated by the lessee upon notice of one year or
less without incurring a penalty)  pursuant to which a Person leases,  subleases
or otherwise is granted the right to occupy, take possession of, or

1/230128.7

                                       14

use property whether real, personal or mixed;  provided,  that "Operating Lease"
shall not include  oil,  gas or mineral  leases  entered into or assigned to any
Company in the ordinary course of such Company's business.

     "Outstanding  Credit"  means,  at any  time,  the sum of (i) the  aggregate
Letter of Credit Exposure at such time plus (ii) the aggregate principal balance
of the Loan.

     "Participant" has the meaning given such term in SECTION 14.10(B).

     "PBGC"  means  the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or any  entity
succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

     "Periodic  Determination"  means any  determination  of the Borrowing  Base
pursuant to SECTION 4.2.

     "Permitted Encumbrances" means with respect to any asset:

     (a) Liens in favor of Banks or their Affiliates under the Loan Papers;

     (b) Minor  defects in title  which do not  secure the  payment of money and
otherwise  have no material  adverse effect on the value or operation of oil and
gas properties,  and for the purposes of this Agreement, a minor defect in title
shall include (i) those  instances where record title to an oil and gas lease is
in a  predecessor  in title to  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  but where
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,  by reason of a farmout or other instrument
is presently entitled to receive an assignment of its interest or other evidence
of title and the  appropriate  Person is  proceeding  diligently  to obtain such
assignment,  and (ii) easements,  rights-of-way,  servitudes,  permits,  surface
leases and other similar rights in respect of surface operations,  and easements
for pipelines, streets, alleys, highways, telephone lines, power lines, railways
and other  easements  and  rights-of-way,  on,  over or in respect of any of the
properties of Borrower (or its Subsidiaries, as applicable) that are customarily
granted in the oil and gas  industry;  so long as,  with  respect to any of such
minor defects in title, the same are minor defects which are customary and usual
in the oil and gas industry and which are  customarily  accepted by a reasonably
prudent operator dealing with its properties;

     (c) Inchoate statutory or operators' liens securing  obligations for labor,
services,  materials and supplies  furnished to oil and gas properties which are
not delinquent (except to the extent permitted by SECTION 8.7);

     (d) Mechanic's, materialmen's,  warehouseman's,  journeyman's and carrier's
liens and other  similar  liens  arising by  operation  of law or statute in the
ordinary  course of  business  which are not  delinquent  (except  to the extent
permitted by SECTION 8.7);

1/230128.7

                                       15

     (e)  Production  sales  contracts,   gas  balancing  agreements  and  joint
operating agreements;  provided,  that the amount of all gas imbalances known to
any Authorized  Officer of Borrower and the amount of all  production  which has
been paid for but not  delivered  shall have been  disclosed or otherwise  taken
into account in the Reserve Reports delivered to Banks hereunder;

     (f) Liens for Taxes or assessments not yet due or not yet  delinquent,  or,
if  delinquent,  that are being  contested in good faith in the normal course of
business by appropriate action, as permitted by SECTION 8.7;

     (g) All rights to consent by,  required  notices to, filings with, or other
actions by,  governmental  entities in connection with the sale or conveyance of
oil and gas leases or  interests  therein if Borrower (or its  Subsidiaries,  as
applicable)  is  entitled to such  consent,  the same are  customarily  obtained
subsequent to such sale or conveyance and the  appropriate  Person is proceeding
diligently to obtain such consent, notice or filing;

     (h) The terms and  provisions of any of the oil and gas leases  pursuant to
which Borrower (or its Subsidiaries, as applicable) derives its interests;

     (i) Lease  burdens  payable  to third  parties  which are  deducted  in the
calculation  of  discounted  present  value in the  Reserve  Reports  including,
without  limitation,  any royalty,  overriding  royalty,  net profits  interest,
production payment,  carried interest or reversionary working interest and which
have been disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
that Borrower  shall not be required to disclose  such lease burdens  unless the
same are lease  burdens which are not  customarily  and usually found in the oil
and gas industry or unless the same are lease  burdens which  obligate  Borrower
and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in a fashion not customarily and usually
found in the oil and gas industry;

     (j) All  applicable  laws,  rules and  orders of  governmental  authorities
having jurisdiction over the affairs of Borrower;

     (k) Liens  securing Debt incurred to finance the  acquisition of the assets
which are the  subject  of such Liens (to the extent  permitted  by SECTION  9.1
hereof); and

     (l) Liens securing the  obligations due and owing under the Existing Credit
Agreement (to the extent such Liens are carried forward pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement).

     "Permitted  Investment"  means,  with respect to Borrower or any Restricted
Subsidiary,  (a) readily  marketable direct  obligations of the United States of
America,  (b) fully  insured  time  deposits  and  certificates  of deposit with
maturities  of one (1)  year or less of any  commercial  bank  operating  in the
United  States  having  capital  and  surplus in excess of  $50,000,000.00,  (c)
commercial  paper of a domestic  issuer if at the time of purchase such paper is
rated in one of the two  highest  ratings  categories  of  Standard  and  Poor's
Corporation or Moody's Investors Service,  (d) any reverse repurchase  agreement
entered into with a commercial bank meeting the criteria described

1/230128.7

                                       16

in clause (b) preceding which is secured by a fully perfected  security interest
in a security of the type  described  in clauses (a) through (c)  preceding  and
which security has a market value at the time such reverse repurchase  agreement
is entered into of not less than 100% of the obligation of such  commercial bank
under such reverse  repurchase  agreement,  (e)  Investments by Borrower and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries in Borrower or Restricted Subsidiaries of Borrower, (f)
Investments  outstanding  as of the date hereof  described on SCHEDULE 2 hereof,
and (g) Investments by Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which when made,
together  with all other  Investments  made  pursuant  to this clause (g) do not
exceed an amount  (measured  at cost)  greater  than  five  percent  (5%) of the
Borrowing Base then in effect.

     "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association,
a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or political
subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

     "Plan" means at any time an employee  pension  benefit plan which is now or
was  previously  covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum  funding
standards under Section 412 of the Code.

     "Preferred  Stock" means  Borrower's  Series A Convertible  Preferred Stock
containing the rights and  preferences set forth in, and issued pursuant to, the
Preferred Stock Designation.

     "Preferred  Stock  Designation"  means the  Certificate  of  Designation of
Rights and  Preferences of Series A Preferred  Stock filed with the Secretary of
State of  Delaware  on or about  May 1,  1996,  setting  forth  the  rights  and
preferences of the Preferred Stock.

     "Process Agent" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 14.12.

     "Ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to Adjusted  Consolidated EBITDA" means,
for any Person as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter,  such Person's ratio of
Consolidated Funded Debt on such day to its Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA for the
period  of four (4)  Fiscal  Quarters  ended  on such day (or to its  Annualized
Adjusted  Consolidated  EBITDA for the period from July 1, 1996 to (a)  December
31, 1996 to the extent such ratio is being  calculated  as of December 31, 1996,
or (b) March 31, 1997 to the extent such ratio is being  calculated  as of March
31, 1997.

     "Recognized  Value"  means,  with  respect to oil and gas  properties,  the
pre-tax  value  of such  properties  determined  in  accordance  with  Financial
Accounting  Standards Board Statement 69,  generally known as the  "standardized
measure of discounted cash flow".

     "Regulation U" means  Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System as in effect from time to time.

     "Related  Assets" means all pipelines,  gathering  systems,  gas processing
plants and similar  assets  owned by Borrower and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,
including, related personal property or

1/230128.7

                                       17

other fixed  assets and all  easements,  servitudes  and similar  real  property
interests  owned by  Borrower  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  on which  such
systems are located.

     "Related Assets Reports" means reports to be delivered by Borrower to Banks
simultaneously  with each delivery by Borrower of a Reserve  Report  pursuant to
SECTIONS  4.1 AND 4.3 which  shall (a) be in form and  substance  acceptable  to
Required  Banks,  (b) be prepared by the Approved  Petroleum  Engineer (with the
exception  of the Related  Asset  Report  required to be  delivered on or before
September 15 of each year or pursuant to any Special  Determination which may be
prepared by Borrower's  in-house staff) in accordance with customary and prudent
practices of the petroleum engineering  industry,  and (c) which shall set forth
the  discounted  present  value of the Related  Assets owned by Borrower  (which
valuation  shall be  determined  as of the same date as the  discounted  present
value of the oil and gas properties  which are the subject of the Reserve Report
delivered   simultaneously  therewith  pursuant  to  SECTIONS  4.1  AND  4.3  as
applicable)  as  determined  by the Approved  Petroleum  Engineer or  Borrower's
in-house staff (as  applicable).  Each Related Asset Report shall also designate
the owner  (either  Borrower,  or one of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries)  of each
Related Asset which is the subject of such report.

     "Rentals" means amounts payable by a lessee under an Operating Lease.

     "Request for Borrowing" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 2.2.

     "Request  for Letter of Credit" has the meaning  given such term in SECTION
2.3.

     "Required  Banks" means Banks holding greater than sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (66 2/3%) of the Total Commitment.

     "Reserve  Report"  means  an  engineering  analysis  of  the  oil  and  gas
properties  owned  by  Borrower  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  in form  and
substance  acceptable  to  Required  Banks  prepared by the  Approved  Petroleum
Engineer or reviewed and approved by the Approved  Petroleum  Engineer (with the
exception of the Reserve Reports required to be delivered on or before September
15 of each year pursuant to SECTION 4.1 or pursuant to any Special Determination
pursuant to SECTION 4.3 which may be prepared by Borrower's  in-house  staff) in
accordance  with  customary and prudent  practices in the petroleum  engineering
industry and Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 69.

     "Restricted  Payment" means (a) any  Distribution by Borrower or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries other than Distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries
to Borrower,  and (b) the  retirement,  redemption  or  prepayment  prior to the
scheduled maturity by Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower of Debt of
Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower (including without limitation,
retirement,  redemption or prepayment prior to the scheduled  maturity of any of
the Subordinate Notes).

1/230128.7

                                       18

     "Restricted  Payment Limit" means (a) as of any date during the period from
the  Closing  Date  through  the  date  of  delivery  to  Banks  of   Borrower's
consolidated  financial  statements  required  by SECTION  8.1(B) for the Fiscal
Quarter ending March 31, 1997, an amount equal to $10,000,000, and (b) as of any
date (the  "MEASUREMENT  DATE") on and  after the date of  delivery  to Banks of
Borrower's  consolidated financial statements required by SECTION 8.1(B) for the
Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 1997, the sum of (i)  $10,000,000,  plus (ii) an
amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of Borrower's  Consolidated  Free Cash Flow
for the  period  commencing  January  1, 1997 and  ending on the last day of the
Fiscal  Quarter  most  recently  ended  as of the  measurement  date  for  which
Borrower's  consolidated financial statements required by SECTION 8.1(B) (in the
case of the first three  quarters of each Fiscal Year, and SECTION 8.1(A) in the
case of the fourth  Fiscal  Quarter of each Fiscal Year) have been  delivered to
Banks.

     "Restricted  Subsidiary"  means, as of the date hereof,  SWAT.  "Restricted
Subsidiary"  shall also refer to any other Subsidiary of Borrower which Required
Banks  and  Borrower  hereafter,  in  their  sole  discretion,  designate  as  a
"Restricted  Subsidiary;"  provided,  that no  Subsidiary  of Borrower will be a
Restricted  Subsidiary  unless (a) one hundred  percent (100%) of its issued and
outstanding capital stock has been pledged to Administrative Agent to secure the
Obligations pursuant to a Restricted Subsidiary Pledge Agreement, and (b) it has
executed a Restricted Subsidiary Guaranty.

     "Restricted  Subsidiary Guarantee" means a Guarantee in the form of EXHIBIT
C attached  hereto to be  executed  by each  Restricted  Subsidiary  of Borrower
pursuant  to which  such  Restricted  Subsidiary  shall  guarantee  payment  and
performance of the Obligations.

     "Restricted   Subsidiary   Pledge   Agreement"  means  a  Pledge  Agreement
substantially  in the form of  EXHIBIT  B  attached  hereto  to be  executed  by
Borrower  or  a  Restricted  Subsidiary  pursuant  to  which  Borrower  or  such
Restricted  Subsidiary pledges the issued and outstanding  capital stock of each
Restricted  Subsidiary owned by Borrower or such Restricted  Subsidiary of every
class to Administrative Agent to secure the Obligations.

     "Rollover Notice" has the meaning given such term in SECTION 2.5(C).

     "Schedule"  means a "schedule"  attached to this Agreement and incorporated
herein by reference, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

     "Section"  refers to a "section" or "subsection"  of this Agreement  unless
specifically indicated otherwise.

     "SOCO" means Snyder Oil Corporation,  a Delaware corporation,  which is the
legal and  beneficial  owner of  seventy  four  percent  (74%) of the issued and
outstanding Common Stock (on a non-diluted basis).

1/230128.7

                                       19

     "Subordinate  Notes" means those certain 11 3/4% Senior  Subordinate  Notes
due July 15, 2004, as the same are more particularly described in the Indenture.

     "Subsidiary"  means,  for any Person,  any  corporation  or other entity of
which  securities or other ownership  interests  having ordinary voting power to
elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons  performing  similar
functions  (including  that of a general  partner)  are at the time  directly or
indirectly  owned,  collectively,  by such Person and any  Subsidiaries  of such
Person.  The term Subsidiary shall include  Subsidiaries of Subsidiaries (and so
on).

     "Surplus Commitment" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 13.5.

     "SWAT" means SOCO Wattenberg Corporation, a Delaware corporation,  which is
a wholly owned Subsidiary of Borrower.

     "Taxes"  means  all  taxes,  assessments,  filing  or other  fees,  levies,
imposts, duties,  deductions,  withholdings,  stamp taxes, interest equalization
taxes,  capital  transaction taxes,  foreign exchange taxes or other charges, or
other charges of any nature whatsoever, from time to time or at any time imposed
by law or any federal,  state or local governmental  agency. "Tax" means any one
of the foregoing.

     "Termination Date" means July 15, 1999.

     "Total Commitment" means the aggregate of all Banks' Commitments.

     "Tranche"  means an Adjusted Base Rate Tranche or a Eurodollar  Tranche and
"Tranches"  means  Adjusted  Base Rate  Tranches or  Eurodollar  Tranches or any
combination thereof.

     "Type" means with  reference  to a Tranche,  the  characterization  of such
Tranche as an Adjusted  Base Rate Tranche or a Eurodollar  Tranche  based on the
method by which the accrual of interest on such Tranche is calculated.

     "Unrestricted  Subsidiary"  shall mean any  Subsidiary of Borrower which is
not a Restricted Subsidiary.

     SECTION  1.2.  ACCOUNTING  TERMS  AND   DETERMINATIONS.   Unless  otherwise
specified  herein,  all accounting  terms used herein shall be interpreted,  all
accounting  determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements
required  to be  delivered  hereunder  shall be  prepared,  in  accordance  with
generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time, applied
on a basis  consistent  with  the most  recent  audited  consolidated  financial
statements  of Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  delivered to Banks
except for changes in which Borrower's  independent certified public accountants
concur and which are disclosed to Administrative Agent on the next date on which
financial  statements are required to be delivered to Banks pursuant to SECTIONS
8.1(A)  and (B);  PROVIDED  THAT,  unless  Borrower  and  Required  Banks  shall
otherwise agree

1/230128.7

                                       20

in writing, no such change shall modify or affect the manner in which compliance
with the  covenants  contained  in  ARTICLE  X are  computed  such that all such
computations  shall  be  conducted  utilizing  financial  information  presented
consistently with prior periods.

                                   ARTICLE II

                              THE CREDIT FACILITIES

     SECTION 2.1. COMMITMENT. (a) Each Bank severally agrees, subject to SECTION
2.1(C) and the other terms and conditions set forth in this  Agreement,  to lend
to Borrower from time to time during the Credit Period  amounts not to exceed in
the aggregate at any one time outstanding,  the amount of such Bank's Commitment
reduced  by an amount  equal to such  Bank's  Letter of  Credit  Exposure.  Each
Borrowing  shall (i) be in an  aggregate  principal  amount of  $500,000  or any
larger  integral  multiple  of  $100,000  (except  that any  Adjusted  Base Rate
Borrowing may be in an amount equal to the  Availability at such time), and (ii)
be made from each Bank  ratably in  accordance  with its  respective  Commitment
Percentage.  Subject to the foregoing  limitations  and the other  provisions of
this  Agreement,  Borrower may borrow under this SECTION  2.1(A),  repay amounts
borrowed under this SECTION 2.1(A) and request new Borrowings under this SECTION
2.1(A).

     (b) Administrative  Agent, or such Bank designated by Administrative  Agent
which  (without  obligation  to do so)  consents to the same  ("LETTER OF CREDIT
ISSUER"),  will issue  Letters of  Credit,  from time to time  during the Credit
Period, upon request by Borrower,  for the account of Borrower or any Restricted
Subsidiary  designated  by  Borrower,  so long  as (i) the sum of (A) the  total
Letter of Credit  Exposure  then  existing,  and (B) the amount of the requested
Letter  of  Credit  does not  exceed  $10,000,000,  and (ii)  Borrower  would be
entitled  to a  Borrowing  under  SECTIONS  2.1(A)  AND (C) in the amount of the
requested Letter of Credit. Not less than three (3) Domestic Business Days prior
to the  requested  date of issuance of any such Letter of Credit,  Borrower (and
any Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower for whose account such Letter of Credit is
being issued) shall  execute and deliver to Letter of Credit  Issuer,  Letter of
Credit Issuer's  customary letter of credit  application.  Each Letter of Credit
shall be in form and substance  acceptable to Letter of Credit Issuer. No Letter
of Credit  shall  have an  expiration  date  later  than the  earlier of (i) the
Termination Date, or (ii) one (1) year from the date of issuance.  Upon the date
of issuance of a Letter of Credit,  Letter of Credit  Issuer  shall be deemed to
have  sold to each  other  Bank,  and each  other  Bank  shall be deemed to have
unconditionally  and  irrevocably  purchased  from  Letter of Credit  Issuer,  a
non-recourse  participation in the related Letter of Credit and Letter of Credit
Exposure equal to such Bank's Commitment Percentage of such Letter of Credit and
Letter of Credit  Exposure.  Upon  request of any Bank,  but not less often than
quarterly,  Administrative Agent shall provide notice to each Bank by telephone,
teletransmission  or telex  setting  forth  each  Letter  of Credit  issued  and
outstanding  pursuant to the terms  hereof and  specifying  the Letter of Credit
Issuer,  beneficiary  and  expiration  date of each such Letter of Credit,  each
Bank's  participation  percentage  of each such  Letter of Credit and the actual
dollar amount of each Bank's participation held by Letter of Credit

1/230128.7

                                       21

Issuer(s)  thereof for such Bank's  account and risk. If any Letter of Credit is
presented for payment by the  beneficiary  thereof,  Administrative  Agent shall
cause an Adjusted Base Rate Borrowing to be made from each Bank participating in
such  Letter of Credit  and Letter of Credit  Exposure  to  reimburse  Letter of
Credit  Issuer  for the  payment  under the  Letter of  Credit,  whether  or not
Borrower would then be entitled to a Borrowing pursuant to the terms hereof, and
each Bank  which  participated  in such  Letter of Credit  and  Letter of Credit
Exposure shall be obligated to lend its  Commitment  Percentage of such Adjusted
Base Rate Borrowing.  At the time of issuance of each Letter of Credit, Borrower
shall pay to  Administrative  Agent a fee equal to the sum of (i) the greater of
(A) $500, or (B)  one-eighth of one percent  (1/8%) per annum (based on the face
amount and term of such Letter of Credit), plus (ii) the greater of (A) $500, or
(B) a per annum percentage equal to the Applicable  Margin in effect on the date
of  issuance  of such  Letter of Credit  (based upon the amount and term of such
Letter of Credit).  Administrative  Agent shall  distribute the fee described in
subclause  (i) of the  preceding  sentence  paid on  issuance  of such Letter of
Credit to the Letter of Credit  Issuer which  issued such Letter of Credit.  The
remaining  portion  of such fee  shall be paid to  Banks  participating  in such
Letter of Credit and Letter of Credit Exposure based on the relative  amounts of
their participation in such Letter of Credit and Letter of Credit Exposure.

     Upon the  occurrence of an Event of Default,  Borrower  shall,  on the next
succeeding Domestic Business Day, deposit with  Administrative  Agent such funds
as  Administrative  Agent  may  request,  up to a  maximum  amount  equal to the
aggregate  existing  Letter  of  Credit  Exposure  of all  Banks.  Any  funds so
deposited shall be held by  Administrative  Agent for the ratable benefit of all
Banks as security for the  outstanding  Letter of Credit  Exposure and the other
Obligations,  and Borrower  will, in connection  therewith,  execute and deliver
such security  agreements in form and substance  satisfactory to  Administrative
Agent which it may, in its discretion, require. As drafts or demands for payment
are presented under any Letter of Credit,  Administrative Agent shall apply such
funds to satisfy such drafts or demands. When all Letters of Credit have expired
and the  Obligations  have been repaid in full (and the Commitments of all Banks
have  terminated) or such Event of Default has been cured to the satisfaction of
Required  Banks,  Administrative  Agent shall  release to Borrower any remaining
funds deposited under this SECTION 2.1(B). Whenever Borrower is required to make
deposits under this SECTION 2.1(B) and fails to do so on the day such deposit is
due, Administrative Agent or any Bank may, without notice to Borrower, make such
deposit   (whether  by  application  of  proceeds  of  any  collateral  for  the
Obligations,  by  transfers  from  other  accounts  maintained  with any Bank or
otherwise)  using any funds then  available to any Bank of Borrower,  and of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries,  any guarantor,  or any other Person liable for all or
any part of the Obligations.

     (c) No Bank will be obligated to lend to Borrower under this SECTION 2.1 or
incur Letter of Credit  Exposure,  and Borrower  shall not be entitled to borrow
hereunder or obtain Letters of Credit  hereunder (i) during the existence of any
Borrowing  Base  Deficiency,  or (ii) in an amount which would cause a Borrowing
Base  Deficiency.  Nothing in this  SECTION  2.1(C) shall be deemed to limit any
Bank's  obligation to fund its ratable  share of Adjusted  Base Rate  Borrowings
with respect to its  participation  in Letters of Credit made as a result of any
drawing under any Letter of Credit.

1/230128.7

                                       22

     SECTION 2.2.  METHOD OF  BORROWING.  (a) In order to request any  Borrowing
hereunder,  Borrower  shall hand  deliver,  telex or telecopy to  Administrative
Agent a duly completed  Request for Borrowing  (herein so called) prior to 12:00
noon (Houston,  Texas time),  (i) at least one (1) Domestic  Business Day before
the Borrowing Date specified for a proposed  Adjusted Base Rate  Borrowing,  and
(ii) at least three (3) Eurodollar  Business Days before the Borrowing Date of a
proposed  Eurodollar  Borrowing.  Each  such  Request  for  Borrowing  shall  be
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT D hereto, and shall specify:

          (i) whether such Borrowing is to be an Adjusted Base Rate Borrowing or
     a Eurodollar Borrowing;

          (ii) the Borrowing Date of such  Borrowing,  which shall be a Domestic
     Business  Day  in  the  case  of an  Adjusted  Base  Rate  Borrowing,  or a
     Eurodollar Business Day in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing;

          (iii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing; and

          (iv) in the  case  of a  Eurodollar  Borrowing,  the  duration  of the
     Interest  Period  applicable  thereto,  subject  to the  provisions  of the
     definition of Interest Period.

     (b) Upon receipt of a Request for  Borrowing  described  in SECTION  2.2(A)
above,  Administrative  Agent shall  promptly  notify each Bank of the  contents
thereof  and the  amount of the  Borrowing  to be  loaned by such Bank  pursuant
thereto,  and such Request for  Borrowing  shall not  thereafter be revocable by
Borrower.

     (c) Not later  than 12:00 noon  (Houston,  Texas  time) on the date of each
Borrowing,  each Bank shall make  available  its  Commitment  Percentage of such
Borrowing,  in Federal or other funds immediately available in Houston, Texas to
Administrative   Agent  at  its   address   set  forth  on  SCHEDULE  1  hereto.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if Borrower delivers to Administrative  Agent a
Request for Borrowing  prior to 10:00 a.m.  (Houston,  Texas time) on a Domestic
Business Day  requesting an Adjusted Base Rate  Borrowing on such day, each Bank
shall  use its best  efforts  to make  available  to  Administrative  Agent  its
Commitment  Percentage of such Borrowing by 1:00 p.m.  (Houston,  Texas time) on
the same  day.  Unless  Administrative  Agent  determines  that  any  applicable
condition specified in SECTION 6.2 has not been satisfied,  Administrative Agent
will  make  the  funds  so  received   from  Banks   available  to  Borrower  at
Administrative Agent's aforesaid address.

     SECTION  2.3.  METHOD OF  REQUESTING  LETTERS  OF  CREDIT.  (a) In order to
request any Letter of Credit  hereunder,  Borrower shall hand deliver,  telex or
telecopy to  Administrative  Agent a duly completed Request for Letter of Credit
(herein so called) prior to 12:00 noon (Houston,  Texas time) at least three (3)
Domestic  Business Days before the date specified for issuance of such Letter of
Credit. Each Request for Letters of Credit shall be substantially in the form of
EXHIBIT E hereto,

1/230128.7

                                       23

shall be accompanied by the applicable  Letter of Credit Issuer's duly completed
and executed letter of credit application and agreement and shall specify:

               (i)  the requested date for issuance of such Letter of Credit;

               (ii) the terms of such requested Letter of Credit,  including the
               name and  address  of the  beneficiary,  the stated  amount,  the
               expiration date and the conditions  under which drafts under such
               Letter of Credit are to be available; and

               (iii)  the purpose of such Letter of Credit.

     (b) Upon  receipt of a Request  for Letter of Credit  described  in SECTION
2.3(A)  above,  Administrative  Agent  shall  promptly  notify each Bank and the
proposed Letter of Credit Issuer of the contents  thereof,  including the amount
of the requested  Letter of Credit,  and such Request for Letter of Credit shall
not thereafter be revocable by Borrower.

     (c) No later than 12:00 noon (Houston,  Texas time) on the date each Letter
of Credit is requested,  unless Administrative Agent or the applicable Letter of
Credit Issuer  determines that any applicable  condition  precedent set forth in
SECTION  6.2  hereof has not been  satisfied,  the  applicable  Letter of Credit
Issuer will issue and deliver such Letter of Credit pursuant to the instructions
of Borrower.

     SECTION 2.4. NOTES. Each Bank's Commitment  Percentage of the Loan shall be
evidenced  by a single Note payable to the order of such Bank in an amount equal
to such Bank's Commitment.

     SECTION 2.5. INTEREST RATES; PAYMENTS. (a) The principal amount of the Loan
outstanding  from day to day  which is the  subject  of an  Adjusted  Base  Rate
Tranche  shall  bear  interest  at a rate  per  annum  equal  to the  sum of the
Applicable  Margin  plus  the  Adjusted  Base  Rate in  effect  from day to day;
PROVIDED  THAT in no event shall the rate  charged  hereunder or under the Notes
exceed the Maximum Lawful Rate.  Interest on any portion of the principal of the
Loan subject to an Adjusted  Base Rate Tranche shall be payable as it accrues on
the last day of each calendar month.

     (b) The principal  amount of the Loan  outstanding from day to day which is
the subject of a Eurodollar  Tranche shall bear interest for the Interest Period
applicable thereto at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin
plus the applicable  Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate;  PROVIDED THAT in no event shall
the rate charged  hereunder  or under the Notes exceed the Maximum  Lawful Rate.
Interest on any portion of the  principal  of the Loan  subject to a  Eurodollar
Tranche having an Interest  Period of one (1), two (2) or three (3) months shall
be payable on the last day of the Interest Period applicable  thereto.  Interest
on any portion of the  principal  of the Loan  subject to a  Eurodollar  Tranche
having an Interest  Period of six (6) months shall be payable on the last day of
the  Interest  Period  applicable  thereto  and on the last  day of each  Fiscal
Quarter during such Interest Period.

1/230128.7

                                       24


     (c) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall be continuing,  subject
to the provisions of this SECTION 2.5,  Borrower shall have the option of having
all or any portion of the principal outstanding under the Loan borrowed by it be
the  subject of an  Adjusted  Base Rate  Tranche  or one (1) or more  Eurodollar
Tranches,  which shall bear  interest at rates based upon the Adjusted Base Rate
and the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate,  respectively (each such option is referred to
herein as an "INTEREST OPTION"); provided, that each Eurodollar Tranche shall be
in a minimum  amount of $500,000  and shall be in an amount which is an integral
multiple of $100,000.  Each change in an Interest  Option made  pursuant to this
SECTION  2.5(C)  shall be deemed  both a payment  in full of the  portion of the
principal of the Loan which was the subject of the Adjusted Base Rate Tranche or
Eurodollar   Tranche   from  which  such   change  was  made  and  a   Borrowing
(notwithstanding  that the unpaid  principal  amount of the Loan is not  changed
thereby) of the portion of the principal of the Loan which is the subject of the
Adjusted  Base Rate  Tranche or  Eurodollar  Tranche  into which such change was
made.  Prior to the  termination  of each  Interest  Period with respect to each
Eurodollar Tranche,  Borrower shall give written notice (a "ROLLOVER NOTICE") in
the form of EXHIBIT F attached  hereto to  Administrative  Agent of the Interest
Option which shall be  applicable  to such portion of the  principal of the Loan
upon the expiration of such Interest Period. Such Rollover Notice shall be given
to  Administrative  Agent at least one (1) Domestic Business Day, in the case of
an Adjusted Base Rate Tranche selection and three (3) Eurodollar  Business Days,
in the case of a Eurodollar Tranche  selection,  prior to the termination of the
Interest Period then expiring.  If Borrower shall specify a Eurodollar  Tranche,
such Rollover  Notice shall also specify the length of the  succeeding  Interest
Period (subject to the provisions of the definitions of such term),  selected by
Borrower.   Each  Rollover  Notice  shall  be  irrevocable  and  effective  upon
notification  thereof to  Administrative  Agent. If the required Rollover Notice
shall not have been timely received by Administrative  Agent,  Borrower shall be
deemed to have  elected  that the  principal of the Loan subject to the Interest
Period then  expiring be the subject of an Adjusted  Base Rate  Tranche upon the
expiration  of such  Interest  Period and Borrower  will be deemed to have given
Administrative  Agent notice of such election.  Subject to the  limitations  set
forth in this  SECTION  2.5(C) on the  minimum  amount of  Eurodollar  Tranches,
Borrower  shall have the right to convert each  Adjusted  Base Rate Tranche to a
Eurodollar  Tranche by giving  Administrative  Agent a  Rollover  Notice of such
election at least three (3) Eurodollar  Business Days prior to the date on which
Borrower  elects to make such conversion (a "CONVERSION  DATE").  The Conversion
Date selected by Borrower  shall be a Eurodollar  Business Day.  Notwithstanding
anything in this SECTION 2.5 to the contrary, no portion of the principal of the
Loan which is the subject of an Adjusted Base Rate Tranche may be converted to a
Eurodollar  Tranche and no Eurodollar  Tranche may be continued as such when any
Default  or Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing,  but each such
Tranche shall be automatically converted to an Adjusted Base Rate Tranche on the
last day of each applicable  Interest  Period.  In no event shall more than four
(4) Interest Options be in effect with respect to the Loan at any time.

     (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in SECTION 2.5(A) or
(B) above, all overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue
interest on the Loan shall bear interest,  payable on demand, for each day until
paid at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of

1/230128.7

                                       25

(a) the sum of (i) two percent (2%),  plus (ii) the Adjusted Base Rate in effect
from day to day, and (b) the Maximum Lawful Rate.

     (e)  Administrative  Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to
the Loan in  accordance  with  the  terms  hereof.  Administrative  Agent  shall
promptly notify  Borrower and Banks by telex,  telecopy or cable of each rate of
interest so determined, and its determination thereof shall be conclusive in the
absence of manifest error.

     (f)  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if at any time the rate of  interest
calculated  with  reference to the  Adjusted  Base Rate or the  Eurodollar  Rate
hereunder  (the  "CONTRACT  RATE") is limited to the Maximum  Lawful  Rate,  any
subsequent reductions in the contract rate shall not reduce the rate of interest
on the Loan below the  Maximum  Lawful  Rate until the total  amount of interest
accrued  equals the amount of interest  which would have accrued if the contract
rate had at all times been in effect.  In the event that at maturity  (stated or
by acceleration),  or at final payment of any Note, the total amount of interest
paid or  accrued on such Note is less than the amount of  interest  which  would
have accrued if the  contract  rate had at all times been in effect with respect
thereto,  then at such time, to the extent permitted by law,  Borrower shall pay
to the holder of such Note an amount  equal to the  difference  between  (i) the
lesser of the amount of interest  which would have accrued if the contract  rate
had at all times  been in effect  and the amount of  interest  which  would have
accrued if the Maximum Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect, and (ii) the
amount of interest actually paid on such Note.

     (g) Interest payable on the principal of any portion of the Loan subject to
a  Eurodollar  Tranche  shall be  computed  based on the  number of actual  days
elapsed assuming that each calendar year consisted of 360 days. Interest payable
on the  principal  of any portion of the Loan  subject to an Adjusted  Base Rate
Tranche  shall be computed  based on the number of actual days elapsed and based
on the actual number of days in the calendar year for which accrued  interest is
being computed.

     SECTION 2.6.  MANDATORY  TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS;  TERMINATION  DATE AND
MATURITY.  The Commitment of each Bank shall terminate on the Termination  Date.
The outstanding  principal  balance of the Loan, all accrued but unpaid interest
thereon  and all  other  Obligations  shall  be due and  payable  in full on the
Termination Date.

     SECTION 2.7. VOLUNTARY REDUCTION OF TOTAL COMMITMENT.  (a) Borrower may, by
notice  to  Administrative  Agent  one (1)  Domestic  Business  Day prior to the
effective date of any such reduction,  permanently  reduce the Total  Commitment
(and  thereby  permanently  reduce  the  Commitment  of  each  Bank  ratably  in
accordance  with such  Bank's  Commitment  Percentage)  in amounts not less than
$1,000,000 or any larger multiple of $100,000. On the effective date of any such
reduction in the Total  Commitment,  Borrower shall, to the extent required as a
result of such  reduction,  make a  principal  payment  on the Loan in an amount
sufficient to cause the Outstanding Credit to be equal to or less than the Total
Commitment as thereby reduced. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall not
be permitted to voluntarily reduce the Total Commitment (a) if, as a

1/230128.7

                                       26

result of such  reduction,  Borrower  would be  required  to  prepay  all or any
portion of the principal amount of any Eurodollar  Tranche prior to the last day
of the Interest  Period  applicable  thereto,  or (b) to an amount less than the
aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure of all Banks.

     SECTION 2.8.  APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.  Each repayment pursuant to SECTIONS
2.6, 2.7, 4.4 and 4.5 shall be made  together with accrued  interest to the date
of  payment,  and shall be applied to  payment  of the Loan in  accordance  with
SECTION 3.2 and the other provisions of this Agreement.

     SECTION 2.9. COMMITMENT FEE. On the Termination Date and on the last day of
each Fiscal  Quarter until the  Termination  Date,  commencing on June 30, 1997,
Borrower  shall pay to  Administrative  Agent,  for the ratable  benefit of each
Bank, a commitment fee equal to the  Commitment Fee Percentage  (computed on the
basis of actual days elapsed and as if each calendar year consisted of 360 days)
of the average daily  Availability  for the Fiscal Quarter (or portion  thereof)
ending on such date.

     SECTION 2.10.  AGENCY AND OTHER FEES.  Borrower shall pay to each Agent and
its Affiliates  such fees and other amounts as Borrower shall be required to pay
to such Agent and its  Affiliates  from time to time  pursuant  to any  separate
agreement between Borrower and such Agent or any of its Affiliates setting forth
the  compensation  to be paid to such Agent and its Affiliates in  consideration
for acting as Agent  hereunder  and for providing  other  services in connection
with the credit facilities provided pursuant hereto. Such fees and other amounts
shall be retained by the applicable Agent and its Affiliates, and no Bank (other
than the applicable Agents) shall have any interest therein.

                                   ARTICLE III

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     SECTION 3.1.  DELIVERY AND  ENDORSEMENT OF NOTES.  Simultaneously  with the
execution of this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall deliver to each Bank the
Note  payable to such Bank.  Each Bank may endorse (and prior to any transfer of
its Note  shall  endorse)  on the  schedule  attached  to its  Note  appropriate
notations to evidence the date and amount of each advance of funds made by it in
respect of any Borrowing,  the Interest Period applicable thereto,  and the date
and amount of each  payment of  principal  received by such Bank with respect to
the Loan; PROVIDED that the failure by any Bank to so endorse its Note shall not
affect the  liability of Borrower for the  repayment of all amounts  outstanding
under such Notes together with interest thereon. Each Bank is hereby irrevocably
authorized  by  Borrower to endorse its Note and to attach to and make a part of
any Note a continuation of any such schedule as required.

     SECTION 3.2.  GENERAL  PROVISIONS AS TO PAYMENTS.  (a) Borrower  shall make
each payment of principal  of, and interest on, the Loan and all fees payable by
Borrower  hereunder not later than 12:00 noon (Houston,  Texas time) on the date
when due, in Federal or other funds immediately

1/230128.7

                                       27

available in Houston, Texas, to Administrative Agent at its address set forth on
SCHEDULE 1 hereto.  Administrative  Agent will  promptly (and if such payment is
received by  Administrative  Agent by 10:00 a.m.,  and  otherwise if  reasonably
possible,  on the  same  Domestic  Business  Day)  distribute  to each  Bank its
Commitment  Percentage of each such payment received by Administrative Agent for
the account of Banks. Whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on, that
portion of the Loan subject to an Adjusted Base Rate Tranche or of fees shall be
due on a day which is not a Domestic  Business Day, the date for payment thereof
shall be extended to the next succeeding  Domestic  Business Day (subject to the
definition  of  Interest  Period).  Whenever  any  payment of  principal  of, or
interest on, that portion of the Loan subject to a Eurodollar  Tranche  shall be
due on a day  which is not a  Eurodollar  Business  Day,  the  date for  payment
thereof  shall  be  extended  to the next  succeeding  Eurodollar  Business  Day
(subject to the definition of Interest  Period).  If the date for any payment of
principal is extended by operation of law or otherwise,  interest  thereon shall
be payable for such extended time.  Borrower  hereby  authorizes  Administrative
Agent to charge from time to time against  Borrower's  account or accounts  with
Administrative Agent any amount then due by Borrower.

     (b) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default,  all principal payments
received by Banks with respect to the Loan shall be applied  first to Eurodollar
Tranches  outstanding under the Loan with Interest Periods ending on the date of
such  payment,  then to the Adjusted Base Rate  Tranches  outstanding  under the
Loan, and then to Eurodollar  Tranches  outstanding under the Loan next maturing
until such principal payment is fully applied.

     (c) After the occurrence of an Event of Default,  all amounts  collected or
received by  Administrative  Agent or any Bank from Borrower and its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  or in  respect  of any of the  Assets  of  Borrower  or any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  shall be  applied  first to the  payment of all proper
costs incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the collection thereof
(including  reasonable  expenses and  disbursements of counsel to Administrative
Agent),  second  to the  payment  of all  proper  costs  incurred  by  Banks  in
connection  with the  collection  thereof  (including  reasonable  expenses  and
disbursements of counsel to Banks),  third to the  reimbursement of any advances
made by Banks to effect performance of any unperformed  covenants of Borrower or
any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries under any of the Loan Papers,  fourth to the
payment of any unpaid  fees  required  pursuant  to SECTION  2.10,  fifth to the
payment of any unpaid fees required  pursuant to SECTIONS 2.1(B) and 2.9, sixth,
to each Bank for  application  to its Commitment  Percentage of the  outstanding
balance of the Loan then  outstanding  (including  accrued  but unpaid  interest
thereon) in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages, and seventh
to  establish  the  deposits  required by SECTION  2.1(B) if any.  All  payments
received by a Bank after the  occurrence of an Event of Default for  application
to the principal of the Loan pursuant to this SECTION 3.2(C) shall be applied by
such Bank in the manner provided in SECTION 3.2(B).

     SECTION 3.3.  FUNDING  LOSSES.  If Borrower  makes any payment of principal
subject to a Eurodollar Tranche (whether pursuant to SECTION 2.6, 2.7, 4.4, 4.5,
ARTICLE  XI or XIII and  whether  as a  voluntary  or  mandatory  prepayment  or
otherwise) on any day other than the last day of an Interest  Period  applicable
thereto, or if Borrower fails to borrow any Eurodollar Borrowing, after

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                                       28

notice has been given to any Bank in accordance with SECTION 2.2, Borrower shall
reimburse each Bank on demand for any resulting loss or expense  incurred by it,
including  (without  limitation) any loss incurred in obtaining,  liquidating or
employing deposits from third parties, or any loss arising from the reemployment
of funds at rates  lower  than the cost to such Bank of such  funds and  related
costs,  which in the case of the payment or  prepayment  prior to the end of the
Interest Period for any Eurodollar Tranche, shall include the amount, if any, by
which (a) the interest  which such Bank would have received  absent such payment
or prepayment for the applicable  Interest Period exceeds (b) the interest which
such Bank  would  receive  if its  Commitment  Percentage  of the amount of such
Eurodollar  Borrowing  were  deposited,  loaned,  or  placed by such Bank in the
interbank  eurodollar  market on the date of such payment or prepayment  for the
remainder of the applicable Interest Period. Such Bank shall promptly deliver to
Borrower and Administrative Agent a certificate as to the amount of such loss or
expense, which certificate shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

     SECTION 3.4.  FOREIGN  LENDERS,  PARTICIPANTS,  AND  ASSIGNEES.  Each Bank,
Participant (by accepting a participation  interest under this  Agreement),  and
Assignee (by  executing an  Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement)  that is not
organized  under the laws of the  United  States of America or one of its states
(a)  represents  to  Administrative  Agent  and  Borrower  that (i) no Taxes are
required to be withheld by Administrative  Agent or Borrower with respect to any
payments  to be  made  to it in  respect  of the  Obligations,  and  (ii) it has
furnished to Administrative  Agent and Borrower two (2) duly completed copies of
either U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Service Form 4224, Form 1001, Form W-8, or other
form acceptable to Administrative  Agent that entitles it to exemption from U.S.
federal  withholding Tax on all interest payments under the Loan Papers, and (b)
covenants to (i) provide Administrative Agent and Borrower a new Form 4224, Form
1001,  Form W-8,  or other  form  acceptable  to  Administrative  Agent upon the
expiration  or  obsolescence  of any  previously  delivered  form  according  to
applicable  laws and  regulations,  duly  executed and completed by it, and (ii)
comply from time to time with all applicable laws and regulations with regard to
the  withholding  Tax  exemption.  If any of the  foregoing  is not  true or the
applicable forms are not provided,  then Borrower and Administrative  Agent (but
without  duplication)  may deduct and withhold from interest  payments under the
Loan Papers any United States  federal-income  Tax at the maximum rate under the
Code.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                 BORROWING BASE

     SECTION 4.1. RESERVE AND RELATED ASSET REPORT;  PROPOSED BORROWING BASE. As
soon as  available  and in any event by March 15 and  September  15 of each year
commencing  September  15, 1997,  Borrower  shall deliver to each Bank a Reserve
Report  and  Related  Asset  Report  prepared  as of the  immediately  preceding
December 31 and June 30,  respectively;  provided,  that  Borrower  shall not be
required to deliver a Related  Asset Report unless  Borrower  intends to request
Administrative  Agent and Banks to take the value of Related Assets into account
for purposes of establishing the

1/230128.7

                                       29

Borrowing  Base.  On or  before  each  April  10 and  October  10 of  each  year
commencing April 10, 1997, Borrower shall notify each Bank of the Borrowing Base
and Borrower requests for the period commencing on the next Determination Date.

     SECTION 4.2.  DETERMINATION OF BORROWING BASE. Based in part on the Reserve
Reports and Related Asset Reports delivered  pursuant to SECTION 4.1 (and in the
case of the Scheduled  Determination scheduled to occur on or around May 1, 1997
based on the Current Reserve Report), Administrative Agent shall, not later than
ten (10) days prior to each Determination Date commencing with the Determination
Date  falling  on May 1,  1997,  submit  a  proposed  Borrowing  Base to  become
effective on such Determination  Date to Banks for their approval.  In the event
Required  Banks,  or all  Banks  in the  event  of a  proposed  increase  in the
Borrowing  Base,  fail  to  promptly  approve  such  proposed   Borrowing  Base,
Administrative  Agent shall propose one or more  alternative  Borrowing Bases to
Banks and shall consult with Banks  regarding the proposed  Borrowing Base until
such time as Required Banks, or all Banks in the event of a proposed increase in
the  Borrowing  Base,  approve a Borrowing  Base and proposed by  Administrative
Agent.  Promptly upon the approval by Required  Banks, or all Banks in the event
of  a  proposed  increase  in  the  Borrowing  Base  to  become  effective  on a
Determination  Date,  Administrative  Agent shall provide  written notice of the
amount of such Borrowing Base to Borrower. In the event Administrative Agent and
Required  Banks,  or all  Banks  in the  event  of a  proposed  increase  in the
Borrowing  Base,  fail to approve a Borrowing  Base (and notify  Borrower of the
amount thereof) on or prior to any applicable  Determination Date, the Borrowing
Base  in  effect  prior  to such  Determination  Date  shall  remain  in  effect
thereafter  until such time as  Administrative  Agent and Required Banks, or all
Banks in the event of a proposed  increase in the Borrowing  Base,  approve such
Borrowing  Base (which shall each become  effective  immediately  upon notice to
Borrower  from  Administrative  Agent setting  forth the amounts  thereof).  Any
determination  of a  proposed  Borrowing  Base by  Administrative  Agent and any
decision by Banks  regarding the approval or  disapproval  of any Borrowing Base
shall be made by  Administrative  Agent and Banks in their  sole  discretion  in
accordance with their respective standards for oil and gas loans, which may vary
between  Administrative  Agent and Banks and from Bank to Bank. Without limiting
the right of Administrative Agent to propose the amount of any Borrowing Base or
the right of Banks to approve or  disapprove  such  proposed  Borrowing  Base in
their  sole  discretion,  Borrower  acknowledges  and  agrees  that  subject  to
Administrative  Agent's and Banks'  consistent  application of their  respective
standards for similar  loans,  Administrative  Agent and Banks (i) may make such
assumptions   regarding   appropriate   existing  and   projected   pricing  for
hydrocarbons as they deem  appropriate in their sole  discretion,  (ii) may make
such assumptions  regarding  projected rates and quantities of future production
of hydrocarbons from oil and gas properties and Related Assets owned by Borrower
and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  as  they  deem  appropriate  in  their  sole
discretion,  (iii) may consider the projected cash  requirements of Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, obligations under the Preferred
Stock,  obligations  under the  Subordinate  Notes,  and debt  service and lease
obligations  of  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries,  further  including,  without
limitation,  the full amount  Borrower may be required to pay in connection with
any redemption or repurchase of the  Subordinate  Notes,  (iv) will not consider
any asset  other than oil and gas  reserves  and  Related  Assets,  (v) will not
consider any asset owned by an entity other than Borrower and its Restricted

1/230128.7

                                       30

Subsidiaries,  and (vi) may make  such  other  assumptions,  considerations  and
exclusions  as  each  Bank  deems  appropriate  in  the  exercise  of  its  sole
discretion.

     SECTION 4.3.  SPECIAL  DETERMINATION  OF BORROWING BASE. In addition to the
redeterminations  of the  Borrowing  Base  pursuant  to SECTION  4.2,  Borrower,
Administrative  Agent or Required Banks may each request Special  Determinations
of the  Borrowing  Base from time to time;  provided,  that  Borrower  shall not
request  more than two (2) Special  Determinations  in any Fiscal  Year.  In the
event   Administrative   Agent  or  Required   Banks   request  such  a  Special
Determination,  Administrative  Agent  shall  promptly  deliver  notice  of such
request to Borrower and Borrower shall,  within ten (10) days following the date
of such request,  deliver to Banks a Related  Asset Report and a Reserve  Report
prepared as of the last day of the  calendar  month  preceding  the date of such
request. In the event Borrower requests a Special Determination,  Borrower shall
deliver  written  notice of such  request to Banks  which  shall  include  (i) a
Related  Asset Report and a Reserve  Report  prepared as of a date not more than
thirty (30) days prior to the date of such  request,  and (ii) the amount of the
Borrowing   Base   requested  by  Borrower  and  to  become   effective  on  the
Determination  Date  applicable to such Special  Determination.  Upon receipt of
such  Reserve  Report and Related  Asset  Report,  Administrative  Agent  shall,
subject to approval of Required  Banks,  or all Banks in the event of a proposed
increase in the Borrowing  Base,  redetermine  the Borrowing  Base in accordance
with the  procedure set forth in SECTION 4.2 which  Borrowing  Base shall become
effective on the Determination Date applicable to such Special Determination (or
as soon thereafter as  Administrative  Agent and Required Banks, or all Banks in
the event of a proposed  increase in the Borrowing Base,  approve such Borrowing
Base and provide notice thereof to Borrower).

     SECTION 4.4.  BORROWING BASE  DEFICIENCY.  If a Borrowing  Base  Deficiency
exists at any time,  Borrower shall,  within ninety (90) days following the date
such Borrowing Base Deficiency  first occurs,  at its option,  either (a) make a
prepayment of principal on the Loan in an amount  sufficient  to eliminate  such
Borrowing  Base  Deficiency,  and if such Borrowing  Base  Deficiency  cannot be
eliminated by prepaying the Loan in full (as a result of  outstanding  Letter of
Credit  Exposure),  Borrower  jointly  and  severally  shall also  deposit  with
Administrative  Agent  sufficient  funds to be held by  Administrative  Agent as
security for outstanding Letter of Credit Exposure in the manner contemplated by
SECTION 2.1(B) as necessary to eliminate such  Borrowing  Base  Deficiency,  (b)
submit  additional oil and gas  properties  owned by Borrower and its Restricted
Subsidiaries  for  consideration  in connection  with the  determination  of the
Borrowing Base which  Administrative Agent and Required Banks deem sufficient in
their sole discretion to eliminate such Borrowing Base  Deficiency,  or (c) take
such  other  action  as  Administrative  Agent and  Required  Banks  shall  deem
appropriate   in  their  sole   discretion  to  eliminate  such  Borrowing  Base
Deficiency.

     SECTION 4.5. INITIAL  BORROWING BASE.  Notwithstanding  anything  contained
herein to the contrary,  the Borrowing Base in effect during the period from the
Closing Date until the date of the first Special or Periodic Determination after
the Closing Date shall be the Initial Borrowing Base.

1/230128.7

                                       31

                                    ARTICLE V

                            COLLATERAL AND GUARANTEE

     SECTION 5.1.  SECURITY.  (a) The Obligations  shall be secured by first and
prior Liens  (subject only to Permitted  Encumbrances)  encumbering  one hundred
percent  (100%) of the issued and  outstanding  capital  stock of every class of
each Restricted  Subsidiary of Borrower. On or before the Closing Date, Borrower
shall  (i)  execute  and  deliver  to  Administrative  Agent  (a)  a  Restricted
Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreement,  and  (b)  such  UCC-1  financing  statements  as
Administrative  Agent  shall  request to fully  evidence  and  perfect the Liens
created by such  Restricted  Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreement,  and (ii) deliver to
Administrative  Agent the  certificate(s)  evidencing the issued and outstanding
capital stock of SWAT,  duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate  blank stock
powers.

     (b) The  Obligations  shall be  further  secured  by first and prior  Liens
(subject  only to Permitted  Encumbrances)  encumbering  (i) certain oil and gas
properties  owned by Borrower  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  designated  by
Administrative  Agent and Required  Banks,  and (ii) all Related  Assets (to the
extent  Borrower has  requested  that the value of such Related  Assets be taken
into  account  by  Administrative  Agent  and  Required  Banks for  purposes  of
establishing the Borrowing Base). Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date,
Borrower shall deliver to  Administrative  Agent for the ratable benefit of each
Bank, such assignments,  conveyances, amendments, agreements and other writings,
including,  without  limitation,  UCC-3  amendments and  assignments  (each duly
authorized  and  executed)  as  Administrative  Agent  shall deem  necessary  or
appropriate to assign and convey the Existing Mortgages to Administrative  Agent
for the  benefit of each Bank and to  confirm,  evidence  and  perfect the Liens
created  by the  Existing  Mortgages  in favor of  Administrative  Agent for the
ratable benefit of the Banks.

     SECTION 5.2. GUARANTEE. Payment and performance of the Obligations shall be
fully  guaranteed  by each  Restricted  Subsidiary  of  Borrower  pursuant  to a
Restricted Subsidiary  Guarantee.  On or before the Closing Date, Borrower shall
deliver  to  Administrative  Agent  a  Restricted  Subsidiary  Guarantee,   duly
authorized and executed by SWAT.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                            CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS

     SECTION 6.1. RESTATEMENT OF EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT/CONDITIONS TO INITIAL
EXTENSION OF CREDIT.  Borrower hereby acknowledges that Administrative Agent and
each Bank have  relied on the  documents,  instruments,  agreements  and actions
referred to in this ARTICLE VI in amending  and  restating  the Existing  Credit
Agreement on the terms set forth herein, and but for Borrower's execution and/or
delivery  and/or  performance  (as  applicable) of the  documents,  instruments,
agreements, conditions and obligations referred to in this ARTICLE VI, Banks and
Agents would not

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                                       32

have amended and restated the Existing  Credit  Agreement on the terms set forth
herein.  The  obligation of each Bank to loan its  Commitment  Percentage of the
initial Borrowing hereunder, and the obligation of Administrative Agent to issue
(or cause another Bank to issue),  the initial Letter of Credit issued hereunder
is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

     (a) CLOSING  DELIVERIES.  Administrative  Agent shall have received each of
the following documents,  instruments and agreements,  each of which shall be in
form and substance and executed in such  counterparts  as shall be acceptable to
Administrative  Agent  and  Required  Banks  and  each of  which  shall,  unless
otherwise indicated, be dated the Closing Date:

     (i)  a Note  payable to the order of each Bank in the amount of such Bank's
          Commitment, duly executed by Borrower;

     (ii) a Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee duly executed by SWAT;

     (iii)a Restricted  Subsidiary  Pledge  Agreement  duly executed by Borrower
          together with (A)  certificates  evidencing one hundred percent of the
          issued  and  outstanding  capital  stock of SWAT of every  class  (all
          certificates  delivered pursuant to this SECTION  6.1(A)(III) shall be
          duly endorsed or accompanied by duly executed blank stock powers), and
          (B) such financing  statements  executed by Borrower as Administrative
          Agent  shall  request to perfect  the Liens  granted  pursuant to such
          Pledge Agreement;

     (iv) a  Certificate  of Ownership  Interests  substantially  in the form of
          EXHIBIT H, duly  executed and  delivered by an  Authorized  Officer of
          Borrower;

     (v)  an opinion of Keith Crouch,  Vice President and Corporate  Counsel for
          Borrower, favorably opining as to such matters as Administrative Agent
          or Required Banks may request;

     (vi) an   opinion  of  Gardere  &  Wynne,   L.L.P.,   special   counsel  to
          Administrative   Agent,   in  form  and  substance   satisfactory   to
          Administrative Agent;

     (vii)a Certificate  executed by an Authorized  Officer of Borrower  stating
          that (A) the  representations  and warranties of Borrower contained in
          this  Agreement  and the other Loan Papers are true and correct in all
          respects,  (B) no Default or Event of Default  has  occurred  which is
          continuing,  and (C) all  conditions set forth in this SECTION 6.1 and
          SECTION 6.2 have been satisfied;

     (viii) such resolutions,  certificates and other documents  relating to the
          existence of the Companies, the corporate authority for the execution,
          delivery and performance of this Agreement,  the Notes, the other Loan
          Papers,  the Merger  Documents,  and certain  other  matters  relevant
          hereto, in form and substance satisfactory to

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                                       33

           Administrative   Agent,  which   resolutions,   certificates  and
          documents  include  resolutions  of  the  directors  of  each  of  the
          Companies  authorizing the execution,  delivery and performance of the
          Loan Papers and certificates of incumbency for each Company;

     (ix) a Certificate executed by an Authorized Officer of Borrower confirming
          that the Merger has been consummated;

     (x)  a copy of each Merger Document,  together with a certificate  executed
          by an Authorized  Officer of Borrower  certifying that such copies are
          accurate and complete and  represent  the complete  understanding  and
          agreement of the parties with respect to the subject  matter  thereof;
          and

     (xi) a copy of a notice from  Borrower to the Indenture  Trustee  delivered
          pursuant to the definition of "Bank Credit Agreement" contained in the
          Indenture   specifying   that  this  Agreement  is  the  "Bank  Credit
          Agreement"  as defined in the  Indenture,  together with evidence that
          such notice has been delivered to the Indenture Trustee.

     (b) MERGER. The Merger shall have occurred (or  Administrative  Agent shall
be  satisfied  that such  transactions  will  occur  simultaneously  therewith).
Without limiting the foregoing, the Merger shall have been completed pursuant to
the terms of the Merger Documents,  and pursuant thereto the Merger  Certificate
shall have been duly filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

     (c)  REFINANCING  OF  EXISTING  CREDIT   AGREEMENT.   Borrower  shall  have
refinanced  in full (or  simultaneously  with the initial  Borrowing  hereunder,
Borrower  shall  refinance  in full) with  proceeds  of a  Borrowing  under this
Agreement,  all Obligations  accrued and  outstanding  under the Existing Credit
Agreement as of the Closing Date, including,  without limitation, (i) the entire
outstanding principal balance of the Loans made thereunder, (ii) all accrued but
unpaid  interest,  (iii) all accrued but unpaid  commitment  and other fees, and
(iv) all amounts payable under SECTION 3.3 of the Existing Credit Agreement as a
result of the prepayment of the other Obligations thereunder.

     (d) NO MATERIAL  ADVERSE  CHANGE.  In the sole  discretion of each Bank, no
material  adverse  change  shall  have  occurred  in  the  assets,  liabilities,
financial condition or prospects of any of the Companies.

     (e) NO LEGAL PROHIBITION.  The transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
the other Loan Papers and the Merger  Documents shall be permitted by applicable
law and regulation and shall not subject  Agents,  any Bank,  Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries to any material  adverse change in their assets,  liabilities,
financial condition or prospects.

     (f) NO LITIGATION.  No litigation,  arbitration or similar proceeding shall
be pending  which calls into  question  the validity or  enforceability  of this
Agreement, the other Loan Papers, the Merger Documents or the Merger.

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                                       34

     (g) OTHER MATTERS.  All matters related to this  Agreement,  the other Loan
Papers,  the Merger  Documents,  the Borrower,  its  Subsidiaries and the Merger
shall  be  acceptable  to  Administrative  Agent  and each  Bank in  their  sole
discretion,  and Borrower shall have delivered to Administrative  Agent and each
Bank such evidence as they shall request to substantiate  any matters related to
this Agreement,  the other Loan Papers, the Merger Documents,  the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries and the Merger as Administrative Agent or any Bank shall request.

     (h) CLOSING FEES.  Borrower  shall have paid to each Agent any fees payable
to such Agent pursuant to SECTION 2.10.

     SECTION 6.2.  CONDITIONS TO EACH  BORROWING AND EACH LETTER OF CREDIT.  The
obligation of each Bank to loan its Commitment  Percentage of each Borrowing and
the  obligation of any Letter of Credit Issuer to issue Letters of Credit on the
date any Letter of Credit is to be issued is subject to the further satisfaction
of the following conditions:

     (a) timely  receipt by  Administrative  Agent of a Request for Borrowing or
Request for Letter(s) of Credit;

     (b)  immediately  before  and  after  giving  effect to such  Borrowing  or
issuance of such Letter(s) of Credit,  no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing  and neither such  Borrowing nor the issuance of such
Letter(s) of Credit shall cause a Default or Event of Default;

     (c) the  representations  and  warranties  of  Borrower  contained  in this
Agreement  shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such  Borrowing or
the issuance of such Letter(s) of Credit;

     (d) the funding of such  Borrowing  or the  issuance of such  Letter(s)  of
Credit and all other  Borrowings  to be made  and/or  Letter(s)  of Credit to be
issued on the same day under this  Agreement,  shall not cause a Borrowing  Base
Deficiency;

     (e) following the issuance of any Letter(s) of Credit, the aggregate Letter
of Credit Exposure shall not exceed $10,000,000; and

     (f) within  sixty (60) days after the  Closing  Date,  Borrower  shall have
executed and delivered to  Administrative  Agent for the ratable benefit of each
Bank, the Mortgages and other instruments required by SECTION 5.1(B) hereof.

     Each  Borrowing and the issuance of each Letter of Credit  hereunder  shall
constitute a  representation  and warranty by Borrower  that on the date of such
Borrowing  or  issuance  of such Letter of Credit the  statements  contained  in
subclauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) above are true.

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     SECTION 6.3. AGREEMENTS  REGARDING INITIAL BORROWING.  Borrower,  Agent and
each Bank  acknowledge  and agree that  Borrower has requested a Borrowing to be
made on the Closing Date in the aggregate amount of $87,450,000  ($10,450,000 of
which will  constitute  a Base Rate  Borrowing,  and  $77,000,000  of which will
constitute a Eurodollar Borrowing),  all the proceeds of which are to be applied
to refinance all  Obligations  outstanding  under and as defined in the Existing
Credit Agreement (the "REFINANCING BORROWING").  Each Agent and each Bank hereby
waive the  requirements  of SECTIONS  2.2 and 6.2(A)  hereof with respect to the
Refinancing  Borrowing  to the  extent,  but only to the extent,  such  Sections
require the  delivery of a Notice of Borrowing  as a condition  precedent.  Each
Bank,   each  Agent  and   Borrower   further   acknowledge   and  agree   that,
notwithstanding  the contrary provisions of SECTION 2.2(C), each Bank shall only
be required to fund as part of such Borrowing the remainder,  if any, of (a) its
Commitment Percentage of such Refinancing Borrowing,  minus (b) the amount it is
to receive as a result of the  application  of the  proceeds of the  Refinancing
Borrowing to refinance all  Obligations  outstanding  under the Existing  Credit
Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     Borrower  represents and warrants that each of the following  statements is
true and  correct on the date  hereof,  will be true and  correct on the Closing
Date (before and immediately after giving effect to the Merger) and will be true
and correct on the occasion of each Borrowing and the issuance of each Letter of
Credit:

     SECTION 7.1. CORPORATE  EXISTENCE AND POWER.  Borrower (a) is a corporation
duly  incorporated,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware,  (b) has all  corporate  power and all material  governmental
licenses,  authorizations,  consents  and  approvals  required  to  carry on its
businesses as now  conducted  and as proposed to be  conducted,  and (c) is duly
qualified to transact  business as a foreign  corporation  in each  jurisdiction
where a failure to be so qualified  could have a material  adverse effect on its
financial condition or operations.

     SECTION 7.2. EXISTENCE AND POWER (OTHER COMPANIES). Each Company other than
Borrower (a) is a corporation,  limited  liability  company or partnership  duly
incorporated or organized (as applicable), validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of its state of  incorporation  or organization  (as applicable),
(b) has all  corporate,  limited  liability  company  or  partnership  power (as
applicable) and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and
approvals  required to carry on its  businesses as now conducted and as proposed
to be  conducted,  and (c) is duly  qualified  to  transact  business as foreign
corporations,  foreign limited liability  companies or foreign  partnerships (as
applicable) in each jurisdiction where a failure to be so qualified could have a
material adverse effect on their respective financial condition or operations.

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                                       36

     SECTION  7.3.  CORPORATE,   LIMITED  LIABILITY  COMPANY,   PARTNERSHIP  AND
GOVERNMENTAL   AUTHORIZATION;   CONTRAVENTION.   The  execution,   delivery  and
performance  of this  Agreement,  the Notes,  and the other Loan  Papers by each
Company  purporting  to execute  the same are within such  Company's  corporate,
limited liability company or partnership  powers (as applicable),  when executed
will be duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or
partnership  action (as  applicable),  require no action by or in respect of, or
filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and do not contravene, or
constitute a default  under,  any  provision of  applicable  law or  regulations
(including,  without  limitation,  the Margin Regulations) or of the partnership
agreement,  articles of  incorporation,  certificate of  incorporation,  bylaws,
regulations or other organizational  documents (as applicable) of such Companies
or of any agreement,  judgment,  injunction,  order,  decree or other instrument
binding upon such Company or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on
any asset of any such Company except Liens securing the Notes.

     SECTION 7.4. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
agreement  of  Borrower;  the Notes and the other Loan Papers when  executed and
delivered in accordance  with this  Agreement,  will then  constitute  valid and
binding  obligations of each Company  executing the same; and each Loan Paper is
enforceable against each Company executing the same in accordance with its terms
except  as  (a)  the  enforceability  thereof  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar laws affecting  creditors  rights  generally,  and (b) the
availability  of equitable  remedies may be limited by equitable  principles  of
general applicability.

     SECTION  7.5.  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION.  (a) The Current  Financials  fairly
present,  in conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  the
consolidated  financial  position of  Borrower  as of December  31, 1996 and its
consolidated  results  of  operations  and cash  flows for the  periods  covered
thereby.

     (b) There has been no material  adverse  change in the business,  financial
position,  results of  operations or prospects of any Company since (i) December
31, 1996 to the extent this  representation and warranty is made or deemed to be
made as of any date prior to the  receipt by Banks of the  financial  statements
for Borrower and its Subsidiaries  required to be delivered by Borrower to Banks
pursuant to SECTIONS 8.1(A) and (B) hereof,  prepared as of the end of the first
complete  Fiscal  Quarter  following the Closing Date, or (ii) since the date of
the most recent  financial  statements  delivered to Banks  pursuant to SECTIONS
8.1(A) and (B) hereof to the extent this  representation and warranty is made or
deemed made as of any date after  receipt by Banks of the  financial  statements
prepared  as of the end of the  first  complete  Fiscal  Quarter  following  the
Closing Date required to be delivered by Borrower to Banks  pursuant to SECTIONS
8.1(A) and (B) hereof.

     SECTION  7.6.  LITIGATION.  Except for matters  disclosed  in the  Existing
Credit  Agreement or arising after the date of this Agreement which are promptly
disclosed in writing to Banks,  there is no action,  suit or proceeding  pending
against,  or to the knowledge of Borrower,  threatened  against or affecting any
Company  before  any  court or  arbitrator,  any  governmental  body,  agency or
official in which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse decision which
could materially adversely

1/230128.7

                                       37

affect the business,  consolidated financial position or consolidated results of
operations  of any Company or which could in any manner draw into  question  the
validity of the Loan Papers.

     SECTION  7.7.  ERISA.  No Company is a party to or bound by, or at any time
prior to the date hereof, has been a party to, or bound by, any Plan.

     SECTION  7.8.  TAXES AND  FILING OF TAX  RETURNS.  Except as  disclosed  on
SCHEDULE  3, each  Company  and its  predecessors  have filed all  material  tax
returns  required to have been filed and have paid all Taxes shown to be due and
payable on such returns,  including interest and penalties,  and all other Taxes
which are  payable by such  party,  to the  extent the same have  become due and
payable other than Taxes with respect to which a failure to pay would not have a
material  adverse  effect on any  Company.  Except as  disclosed  on SCHEDULE 3,
Borrower  does not know of any  proposed  material  Tax  assessment  against any
Company,  and all Tax  liabilities  of each  Company  and its  predecessors  are
adequately  provided  for.  Except as  disclosed  on  SCHEDULE  3 and  except as
hereinafter  disclosed  in writing  to Banks,  no income  tax  liability  of any
Company  or any of  their  respective  predecessors  or  Subsidiaries  has  been
asserted by the Internal  Revenue  Service for Taxes in excess of those  already
paid.

     SECTION  7.9.  TITLE  TO  PROPERTIES;  LIENS.  Borrower  and  each  of  its
Subsidiaries  has good and valid title to all  material  assets  purported to be
owned  by it  subject  only to  Permitted  Encumbrances.  Without  limiting  the
foregoing,  (a) Borrower  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  have good and valid
title to all oil and gas properties and all Related Assets owned by Borrower and
its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  which are  included  in the most  recent  Reserve
Reports  and Related  Asset  Reports  provided to Banks  (except for oil and gas
properties  disposed  of in  compliance  with  SECTION  9.5 to the  extent  this
representation  and warranty is made or deemed made after the Closing  Date) and
except for Permitted  Encumbrances,  and (b) the  Companies  have good and valid
title  to all  material  assets  reflected  in the  Current  Financials  and any
subsequent  financial  statements delivered to Banks pursuant to SECTIONS 8.1(A)
and (B) hereof.

     SECTION 7.10. BUSINESS;  COMPLIANCE.  Each Company has performed and abided
by all obligations required to be performed under each license,  permit,  order,
authorization, grant, contract, agreement, or regulation to which any Company is
a party or by which any Company or any of the assets of any Company are bound to
the  extent a failure  to  perform  and abide by such  obligations  could have a
material  adverse  effect  on  the  assets,  liabilities,  financial  condition,
operations or prospects of such Company individually or the Companies taken as a
whole;  PROVIDED THAT to the extent oil and gas properties  owned by any Company
are  operated by  operators  other than a Company or an  Affiliate of a Company,
Borrower  does  not  have  any  knowledge  that  any  such  obligation   remains
unperformed and the appropriate  Person has diligently  enforced all contractual
obligations of such operators to insure performance.

     SECTION 7.11.  LICENSES,  PERMITS,  ETC. Each Company  possesses such valid
franchises,   certificates  of  convenience  and  necessity,  operating  rights,
licenses, permits, consents, authorizations, exemptions and orders of tribunals,
as are necessary to carry on its business as now

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                                       38

being conducted except to the extent a failure to obtain any such item would not
have a material adverse effect on such Company  individually or on the Companies
taken as a whole;  PROVIDED THAT to the extent oil and gas  properties  owned by
any Company are operated by operators  other than a Company or an Affiliate of a
Company,  Borrower does not have any knowledge that possession of such items has
not been  obtained,  and the  appropriate  Person has  diligently  enforced  all
contractual obligations of such operators to obtain such items.

     SECTION  7.12.  COMPLIANCE  WITH LAW. The business and  operations  of each
Company have been and are being  conducted  in  accordance  with all  applicable
laws,  rules and  regulations  of all  tribunals,  other  than  laws,  rules and
regulations   the  violation  of  which  could  not  (either   individually   or
collectively)  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on any  Company's  individual
financial condition or operations or on the financial condition or operations of
the  Companies  taken as a whole  (both  before and after  giving  effect to the
Merger); PROVIDED THAT to the extent oil and gas properties owned by any Company
are  operated by  operators  other than a Company or an  Affiliate of a Company,
Borrower  does not have any  knowledge  of  non-compliance  and the  appropriate
Person has diligently enforced all contractual  obligations of such operators to
insure compliance.

     SECTION 7.13.  OWNERSHIP  INTERESTS.  The Reserve Reports and Related Asset
Reports most  recently  provided to Banks  accurately  reflect,  and all Reserve
Reports and Related Asset Reports hereafter delivered pursuant to this Agreement
will reflect,  in all material respects,  the ownership interests in the oil and
gas properties and Related Assets referred to therein  (including all before and
after payout calculations).

     SECTION 7.14. FULL DISCLOSURE.  All information heretofore furnished by any
Company  (or any other party on any  Company's  behalf) to any Agent or any Bank
for  purposes  of or in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or  any  transaction
contemplated  hereby is, and all such  information  hereafter  furnished  by any
Company  or on behalf  of any  Company  to any Agent or any Bank will be,  true,
complete and accurate in every material respect or based on reasonable estimates
on the date as of which such  information  is stated or certified.  Borrower has
disclosed  to Banks in writing  any and all facts  (other  than facts of general
public knowledge) which might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely
affect or might affect (to the extent Borrower can now reasonably foresee),  the
business,  operations,  prospects or condition,  financial or otherwise,  of any
Company or the ability of  Borrower  or any  Company to perform its  obligations
under this Agreement and the other Loan Papers.

     SECTION 7.15.  SUBSIDIARIES.  SCHEDULE 4 hereto accurately reflects,  after
giving effect to the Merger (i) the name and  jurisdiction of  incorporation  of
each Subsidiary of Borrower,  (ii) each jurisdiction in which each Subsidiary of
Borrower is qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation, partnership
or limited  liability  company,  (iii) the  authorized,  issued and  outstanding
capital stock of each such Subsidiary,  including, the record (and to Borrower's
knowledge,  beneficial)  owner of such capital stock,  and (iv) all  outstanding
warrants,  options,  subscription rights, convertible securities or other rights
to purchase capital stock of each Subsidiary of Borrower.

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                                       39

     SECTION 7.16. OBLIGATIONS OF UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES. Except as set forth
on SCHEDULE 5 hereto,  neither  Borrower nor any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries
has any obligation of any nature to any Unrestricted Subsidiary of Borrower.

     SECTION 7.17.  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. No real or personal property owned or
leased by any Company (including without limitation,  oil and gas properties and
Related  Assets)  and  no  operations   conducted  thereon,  and  to  Borrower's
knowledge,  no  operations  of any prior  owner,  lessee or operator of any such
properties,  is or has been in violation  of any  Applicable  Environmental  Law
other than violations  which  individually  and in the aggregate will not have a
material adverse effect on any Company  individually or the Companies taken as a
whole,  nor is any such  property  or  operation  the  subject of any  existing,
pending or, to Borrower's  knowledge,  threatened action,  suit,  investigation,
inquiry or preceding with respect to Applicable  Environmental Laws which could,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole (both before and after giving  effect to the
Merger). All notices,  permits,  licenses, and similar  authorizations,  if any,
required to be obtained or filed in  connection  with the ownership or operation
of any and all real and personal  property  owned,  leased or operated by any of
the Companies,  including,  without limitation,  notices,  licenses, permits and
authorizations  required  in  connection  with  any past or  present  treatment,
storage,  disposal,  or release of hazardous  substances,  petroleums,  or solid
waste  into the  environment,  have been duly  obtained  or filed  except to the
extent  the  failure  to obtain  or file such  notices,  licenses,  permits  and
authorizations  would  not  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  any  Company
individually  or the  Companies  taken as a whole (both  before and after giving
effect to the Merger). To Borrower's  knowledge,  all hazardous  substances,  if
any,  generated  at any and all real and  personal  property  owned,  leased  or
operated by the Companies have been transported,  treated,  and disposed of only
by  carriers  maintaining  valid  permits  under  RCRA and any other  Applicable
Environmental Laws. Except as disclosed in the Existing Credit Agreement,  there
has been no  release or  threatened  release of any  quantity  of any  hazardous
substances  or  petroleum  on, to or from any real or personal  property  owned,
leased, or operated by the Companies which was not in compliance with Applicable
Environmental  Laws other than releases which would not,  individually or in the
aggregate,  have a material  adverse effect on any Company  individually  or the
Companies  taken as a whole (both before and after giving effect to the Merger).
Except as  disclosed  in the  Existing  Credit  Agreement,  no  Company  has any
contingent liability in connection with any release or threatened release of any
hazardous substance,  petroleum, or solid waste into the environment which could
have a material  adverse  effect on any Company  individually  or the  Companies
taken as a whole.

     SECTION 7.18. MERGER DOCUMENTS.  Borrower has provided Administrative Agent
with a true and correct copy of each Merger  Document.  No rights or obligations
of any party to any of the Merger  Documents  have been  waived in any  material
respect,  and no party  to any of the  Merger  Documents  is in  default  of its
obligations  thereunder.  Each of the Merger  Documents is a valid,  binding and
enforceable  obligation of the parties  thereto in accordance with its terms and
is in full force and effect.

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                                       40

     SECTION  7.19.  BURDENSOME  OBLIGATIONS.  Except as disclosed in writing to
Banks prior to the date hereof,  neither any Company nor the  properties  of any
Company is subject to any law or regulation or subject to any restriction  under
the certificate or articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, regulations
or other  organizational  documents  of any  Company or under any  agreement  or
instrument  to which any Company is a party or by which any of their  respective
properties  may be subject or bound,  which is so unusual or burdensome as to be
likely  in the  foreseeable  future  to have a  material  adverse  effect on the
assets, liabilities, financial condition, operations or prospects of any Company
individually or the Companies taken as a whole.

     SECTION 7.20. GOVERNMENT  REGULATIONS.  No Company is subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate  Commerce  Act,  the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940 (as any of the
preceding acts have been amended) or any other law or regulation which regulates
the  incurring by it of Debt,  including,  but not limited to, laws  relating to
common  carriers or the sale of electricity,  gas, steam,  water or other public
utility services.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     Borrower  agrees that,  so long as any Bank has any  commitment  to lend or
participate in Letter of Credit  Exposure  hereunder or any amount payable under
any Note remains unpaid or any Letter of Credit remains outstanding:

     SECTION 8.1. INFORMATION.  Borrower will deliver, or cause to be delivered,
to each Bank:

     (a) as soon as available and in any event within ninety (90) days after the
end of each Fiscal Year of Borrower,  consolidated balance sheets of Borrower as
of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income
and cash flow for such Fiscal Year,  setting  forth in each case in  comparative
form the figures  for the  previous  Fiscal  Year,  all  reported by Borrower in
accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles and audited by Arthur
Anderson LLP or other independent  public  accountants of nationally  recognized
standing acceptable to Administrative Agent;

     (b) as soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) days after
the end of each of the first  three (3) Fiscal  Quarters  of each Fiscal Year of
Borrower,  consolidated balance sheets of Borrower as of the end of such quarter
and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flow for such quarter
and for the portion of Borrower's  Fiscal Year ended at the end of such quarter,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding
quarter and the  corresponding  portion of Borrower's  previous Fiscal Year. All
financial  statements  delivered  pursuant  to  this  SECTION  8.1(B)  shall  be
certified as to fairness of presentation, generally accepted

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                                       41

accounting  principles  and  consistency by the chief  financial  officer or the
chief accounting officer of Borrower;

     (c)  simultaneously  with the delivery of each set of financial  statements
referred to in SECTIONS  8.1(A) and (B), a certificate of an Authorized  Officer
of Borrower, (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to
establish  whether Borrower was in compliance with the requirements of ARTICLE X
on the date of such financial  statements,  (ii) stating whether there exists on
the date of such  certificate  any  Default  and, if any  Default  then  exists,
setting  forth the details  thereof and the action  which  Borrower is taking or
proposes to take with respect  thereto,  and (iii)  stating  whether or not such
financial  statements  fairly  reflect the business and  financial  condition of
Borrower as of the date of the delivery of such financial statements;

     (d) immediately upon any Authorized  Officer of Borrower  becoming aware of
the occurrence of any Default,  including,  without limitation,  a Default under
ARTICLE X, a certificate of an Authorized  Officer of Borrower setting forth the
details thereof and the action which Borrower is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto;

     (e)  promptly  upon the  mailing  thereof to the  stockholders  of Borrower
generally,  copies of all financial statements,  reports and proxy statements so
mailed;

     (f)  promptly  upon the filing  thereof,  copies of all final  registration
statements  (other than the exhibits thereto and any registration  statements on
Form S-8 or its  equivalent),  post  effective  amendments  thereto  and annual,
quarterly or special reports which Borrower shall have filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission;

     (g)  promptly  notify  Banks  (i) of any  material  adverse  change  in the
financial  condition  of  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or (ii) of the
occurrence of any  acceleration of the maturity of any Debt owing by Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or any default under any indenture, mortgage, agreement,
contract or other  instrument to which any of them is a party or by which any of
them or any of their properties is bound, if such default or acceleration  might
have a material adverse effect upon their financial condition;

     (h) immediately  upon receipt of the same, a copy of any notice received by
Borrower of the  occurrence  of any Event of Default under and as defined in the
Indenture or any event which with notice,  lapse of time or both, would,  unless
cured or waived, become an Event of Default;

     (i) promptly upon receipt of same, any notice or other information received
by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower  indicating  any potential,  actual or
alleged  (i)  non-compliance  with  or  violation  of  the  requirements  of any
Applicable  Environmental Law which could result in liability to Borrower or any
Subsidiary for fines, clean up or any other remediation obligations or any other
liability in excess of $250,000 in the  aggregate;  (ii)  release or  threatened
release of any toxic or hazardous  waste,  substance,  or constituent,  or other
substance into the

1/230128.7

                                       42

environment  which release would impose on Borrower or any  Subsidiary a duty to
report to a  governmental  authority or to pay cleanup costs or to take remedial
action under any Applicable Environmental Law which could result in liability to
Borrower or any Subsidiary for fines, clean up and other remediation obligations
or any other  liability  in excess of  $250,000 in the  aggregate;  or (iii) the
existence of any Lien arising under any  Applicable  Environmental  Law securing
any obligation to pay fines,  clean up or other  remediation  costs or any other
liability  in  excess  of  $250,000  in  the  aggregate.  Without  limiting  the
foregoing,  Borrower shall provide to Banks promptly upon receipt of same copies
of all  environmental  consultants or engineers  reports received by Borrower or
any  Subsidiary of Borrower which would render the  representation  and warranty
contained in SECTION 7.17 untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

     (j) In the event any  notification  is  provided by Borrower to any Bank or
Administrative  Agent pursuant to SECTION 8.1(I) hereof or Administrative  Agent
or any Bank  otherwise  learns of any event or  condition  under  which any such
notice would be required,  then, upon request of Required Banks, Borrower shall,
within  ninety (90) days of such  request,  cause to be furnished to each Bank a
report by an environmental  consulting firm acceptable to  Administrative  Agent
and  Required  Banks,  stating  that  a  review  of  such  event,  condition  or
circumstance  has been  undertaken  (the scope of which shall be  acceptable  to
Administrative   Agent  and  Required   Banks)  and   detailing   the  findings,
conclusions,  and  recommendations  of such consultant.  Borrower shall bear all
expenses and costs associated with such review and updates  thereof,  as well as
all  remediation  or  curative  action  recommended  by any  such  environmental
consultant; and

     (k) from time to time such additional  information  regarding the financial
position  or business of Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  as the  Administrative
Agent, at the request of any Bank, may reasonably request.

     SECTION 8.2. BUSINESS OF BORROWER. The primary business of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries will be the acquisition,  exploration for, development, production,
transportation,  processing and marketing of liquid or gaseous  hydrocarbons and
accompanying elements and related businesses.

     SECTION 8.3. MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE. Borrower shall, and shall cause each
Restricted  Subsidiary to, at all times (a) maintain its corporate,  partnership
or  limited  liability  company  existence  in its  state  of  incorporation  or
organization  except to the extent  any  Restricted  Subsidiary  ceases to be in
existence as a result of a merger or consolidation  expressly permitted pursuant
to SECTION 9.4, and (b) maintain its good standing and qualification to transact
business in all  jurisdictions  where the failure to maintain  good  standing or
qualification  to transact  business could have a material adverse effect on the
financial  condition  or  operations  of  Borrower  or  any  of  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries individually or Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.

     SECTION 8.4. TITLE DATA.  Borrower  shall,  upon the reasonable  request of
Required  Banks,  cause to be  delivered  to  Administrative  Agent  such  title
opinions and other information in its

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possession,  control or direction  regarding title to the oil and gas properties
owned  by  Borrower  and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  as are  appropriate  to
determine the status thereof.

     SECTION 8.5. RIGHT OF INSPECTION. Borrower will permit, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to permit, any officer,  employee or agent of Administrative
Agent or any Bank to visit and  inspect  any of the assets of  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries,  examine  Borrower's  and its  Subsidiaries'  books of record  and
accounts, take copies and extracts therefrom, and discuss the affairs,  finances
and accounts of Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  with any of  Borrower's  and its
Subsidiaries'  officers,  accountants and auditors, all at such reasonable times
and as often as Administrative  Agent or any Bank may desire, all at the expense
of Borrower.  Banks  covenant and agree to preserve the  confidentiality  of any
information  with respect to which Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  have an
obligation of  confidentiality  to a third party (to the extent such  obligation
has been  disclosed  to  Banks),  except to the  extent  Banks are  required  to
disclose such information  pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation of
any  governmental  body or  pursuant  to the  order of any  court  of  competent
jurisdiction.

     SECTION 8.6.  MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE.  Borrower will, and will cause each
of its  Subsidiaries to (and will use its best efforts to cause all operators of
oil and gas properties owned by Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Related Assets
to) at all times  maintain or cause to be  maintained  insurance  covering  such
risks as are customarily  carried by businesses  similarly  situated  including,
without limitation,  the following:  (a) workmen's compensation  insurance;  (b)
employer's liability insurance;  (c) comprehensive  general public liability and
property damage  insurance in respect of all activities in which Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries might incur personal liability for the death or injury of an
employee or third person, or damage to or destruction of another's property; (d)
insurance against loss or damage by fire,  lightning,  hail, tornado,  explosion
and other similar risk; (e) reservoir damage  insurance;  and (f)  comprehensive
automobile  liability  insurance.  All loss payable clauses or provisions in all
policies of insurance  maintained by Borrower pursuant to this SECTION 8.6 shall
be endorsed in favor of and made payable to Administrative Agent for the ratable
benefit of Banks,  as their interests may appear.  Administrative  Agent for the
ratable  benefit of Banks shall have the right to collect,  and Borrower  hereby
assigns to  Administrative  Agent for the ratable benefit of Banks,  any and all
monies that may become payable under any such policies of insurance by reason of
damage,  loss or  destruction  of any property  which stands as security for the
Obligations or any part thereof,  and Administrative Agent may, at its election,
either  apply for the  ratable  benefit  of Banks all or any part of the sums so
collected toward payment of the Obligations (or the portion thereof with respect
to which such property stands as security),  whether or not such Obligations are
then due and  payable,  in such  manner  as  Administrative  Agent  may elect or
release same to Borrower.

     SECTION 8.7.  PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS.  Borrower  will,  and will cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to, pay (a) all Taxes  imposed  upon it or any of its
assets or with  respect to any of its  franchises,  business,  income or profits
before any material penalty or interest  accrues  thereon,  and (b) all material
claims (including, without limitation, claims for labor, services, materials and
supplies)  for sums which have  become due and  payable and which by law have or
might become a

1/230128.7

                                       44

Lien  (other  than a  Permitted  Encumbrance)  on any of its  assets;  provided,
however,  no payment of Taxes or claims  shall be  required  if (i) the  amount,
applicability  or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by
appropriate  action  promptly  initiated and diligently  conducted in accordance
with good  business  practices and no material part of the property or assets of
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  are  subject to levy or  execution,  (ii)
Borrower,  as and to the extent required in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting  principles,  shall have set aside on its books, reserves (segregated
to the extent required by generally accepted accounting  practices) deemed by it
to  be  adequate  with  respect   thereto,   and  (iii)  Borrower  has  notified
Administrative   Agent  of  such   circumstances,   in  detail  satisfactory  to
Administrative Agent.

     SECTION 8.8.  COMPLIANCE  WITH LAWS AND DOCUMENTS.  Borrower will, and will
cause  each of its  Subsidiaries  to,  comply  with all laws,  their  respective
articles and  certificates of  incorporation,  bylaws,  partnership  agreements,
regulations and similar organizational  documents and all Material Agreements to
which Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower is a party,  if a violation,  alone
or when combined with all other such  violations,  could have a material adverse
effect on the  financial  condition  or  operations  of  Borrower  or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries individually or Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.

     SECTION 8.9. OPERATION OF PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT.  (a) Borrower will, and
will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to,  maintain,  develop and operate  their
respective oil and gas  properties and Related Assets in a good and  workmanlike
manner, and observe and comply with all of the terms and provisions,  express or
implied,  of all oil and gas leases  relating to such properties so long as such
oil and gas  leases are  capable  of  producing  hydrocarbons  and  accompanying
elements in paying quantities,  to the extent that the failure to so observe and
comply  could have a  material  adverse  effect on the  financial  condition  or
operations of Borrower  individually or Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.

     (b) Borrower  will, and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, comply in
all respects  with all  contracts  and  agreements  applicable to or relating to
their  respective  oil  and  gas  properties  or  the  production  and  sale  of
hydrocarbons and accompanying elements therefrom, except to the extent a failure
to so comply could not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition
or operations of Borrower individually or Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as
a whole.

     (c) Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries at all times to,
maintain, preserve and keep all operating equipment used with respect to the oil
and gas  properties of Borrower in proper  repair,  working order and condition,
and make all necessary or appropriate repairs, renewals, replacements, additions
and  improvements  thereto so that the  efficiency of such  operating  equipment
shall at all times be properly  preserved and maintained,  provided that no item
of operating  equipment  need be so  repaired,  renewed,  replaced,  added to or
improved,  if  Borrower  shall in good faith  determine  that such action is not
necessary or desirable for the continued  efficient and profitable  operation of
the business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

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                                       45

     (d)  With  respect  to the oil  and  gas  properties  of  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries  which are operated by operators  other than Borrower or one of its
Subsidiaries,  Borrower and its Subsidiaries  shall not be obligated to directly
perform any undertakings  contemplated by the covenants and agreements contained
in this SECTION 8.9 which are performable  only by such operators and are beyond
the  control  of  Borrower,  but  shall be  obligated  to seek to  enforce  such
operators' contractual obligations to maintain,  develop and operate the oil and
gas properties subject to such operating agreements.

     SECTION  8.10.  FURTHER  ASSURANCES.  Borrower  will execute and deliver or
cause to be  executed  and  delivered  such  other and  further  instruments  or
documents  and take such  further  action as in the  judgment of  Administrative
Agent may be  required  to carry out the  provisions  and  purposes  of the Loan
Papers including without limitation to create, preserve, protect and perfect the
Liens of the  Administrative  Agent  for the  ratable  benefit  of the  Banks as
required by SECTION 5.1.

     SECTION 8.11.  ENVIRONMENTAL  LAW COMPLIANCE AND INDEMNITY.  Borrower will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all material respects with
all  Applicable  Environmental  Laws,  including,  without  limitation,  (a) all
licensing,  permitting,  notification  and similar  requirements  of  Applicable
Environmental  Laws,  and (b) all  provisions  of Applicable  Environmental  Law
regarding storage, discharge, release, transportation, treatment and disposal of
hazardous  substances,  petroleum,  solid waste or other contaminants.  Borrower
will,  and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to,  promptly pay and discharge
when due all debts,  claims,  liabilities  and  obligations  with respect to any
clean-up  or   remediation   measures   necessary  to  comply  with   Applicable
Environmental  Laws.  Borrower hereby  indemnifies and agrees to defend and hold
Banks and their  successors  and assigns  harmless  from and against any and all
claims, demands, causes of action, loss, damage, liabilities, costs and expenses
(including  reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) of any and every kind or
character,  known or unknown, fixed or contingent,  asserted against or incurred
by any of the  Banks  at any  time  and  from  time to time  including,  without
limitation,  those  asserted  or  arising  subsequent  to the  payment  or other
satisfaction  of the  Loan,  by  reason  of or  arising  out  of the  ownership,
construction, occupancy, operation, use and maintenance of any of the collateral
for  the  Loan,  including  matters  arising  out of the  negligence  of  Banks;
provided, however, this indemnity shall not apply with respect to matters caused
by or arising out of (i) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Banks (IT
BEING THE EXPRESS  INTENTION  HEREBY THAT BANKS  SHALL BE  INDEMNIFIED  FROM THE
CONSEQUENCES  OF  THEIR  NEGLIGENCE);  and  (ii)  the  construction,  occupancy,
operation,  use and  maintenance  of the  collateral  for the Loan by any owner,
lessee or party in possession of the collateral  for the Loan  subsequent to the
ownership of the collateral for the Loan by Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries
(as applicable),  provided further,  however, that this subclause (ii) shall not
exclude from the foregoing indemnity and agreement,  liability, claims, demands,
causes of action,  loss,  damage,  costs and  expenses  imposed by reason of the
ownership of the collateral for the Loan by Banks after purchase by Banks at any
foreclosure  sale or transfer in lieu  thereof from  Borrower or any  Restricted
Subsidiary in partial or entire  satisfaction of the Loan (unless the same shall
be solely  attributable  to the subsequent use of the collateral by Banks during
their ownership  thereof).  The foregoing indemnity and agreement applies to the
violation  of any  Applicable  Environmental  Law prior to the  payment or other
satisfaction of the

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                                       46

Loan and any act,  omission,  event or circumstance  existing or occurring on or
about the collateral for the Loan (including  without limitation the presence on
the  collateral  for the Loan or  release  from the  collateral  for the Loan of
asbestos or other  hazardous  substances or solid waste disposed of or otherwise
present in or released prior to the payment or other  satisfaction of the Loan).
It shall not be a defense to the covenant of Borrower to indemnify that the act,
omission, event or circumstance did not constitute a violation of any Applicable
Environmental Law at the time of its existence or occurrence.  The provisions of
this SECTION  8.11 shall  survive the  repayment of the Loan and shall  continue
thereafter in full force and effect. In the event of the transfer of the Loan or
any portion thereof,  Banks or any prior holder of the Loan and any participants
shall  continue to be benefitted by this indemnity and agreement with respect to
the period of such holding of the Loan.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     Borrower  agrees that,  so long as any Bank has any  commitment  to lend or
participate in Letter of Credit  Exposure  hereunder or any amount payable under
any Note remains unpaid or any Letter of Credit remains outstanding:

     SECTION 9.1.  DEBT OF BORROWER  AND ITS  RESTRICTED  SUBSIDIARIES.  Neither
Borrower nor any Restricted  Subsidiary of Borrower will incur, become or remain
liable  for any Debt  other  than (a) Debt  secured  by  Permitted  Encumbrances
described  in subpart  (k) of the  definition  of  Permitted  Encumbrances,  (b)
Nonrecourse Debt, (c) the Loan, (d) the Subordinate  Notes, (e) Debt outstanding
on the Closing  Date  described  on  SCHEDULE 6 hereto,  and (f)  Guarantees  by
Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower of Debt and other liabilities of
Borrower or other  Restricted  Subsidiaries of Borrower  provided that such Debt
and other liabilities are permitted pursuant to this Agreement;  PROVIDED,  that
the Debt  permitted  pursuant to SECTION 9.1(A) and (B) incurred by Borrower and
its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

     SECTION 9.2.  RESTRICTED  PAYMENTS.  Neither  Borrower  nor any  Restricted
Subsidiary of Borrower will declare or make any  Restricted  Payment;  provided,
that, so long as no Default,  Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency then
exists,  and provided that no Default or Event of Default would result therefrom
Borrower  shall be  permitted  to (a) declare and pay accrued  dividends  on the
Preferred  Stock,  (b) repurchase any of its Common Stock or Preferred  Stock or
warrants,  options or other  rights to acquire  such Common  Stock or  Preferred
Stock, and (c) repurchase,  redeem or defease  Subordinate Notes, so long as, at
any date, the sum of (x) the aggregate amount of all such dividends declared and
paid  pursuant to clause (a) above during the period  commencing  on the Closing
Date to and including such date, plus (y) the aggregate  amount paid by Borrower
and the Restricted  Subsidiaries in respect of the repurchase of all such Common
Stock or Preferred  Stock or  warrants,  options or other rights to acquire such
Common Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (b) above, plus (z) an amount
equal to the excess of the aggregate repurchase,  redemption or defeasance price
paid by Borrower for all Subordinate Notes repurchased,  redeemed or defeased by
Borrower  subsequent  to the  Closing  Date  over  the  sum of (i)  101%  of the
aggregate principal

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                                       47

balance of all such Subordinate  Notes on the date of repurchase,  redemption or
defeasance,  plus (ii) accrued but unpaid interest on all such Subordinate Notes
redeemed,  repurchased  or defeased  on the date of  redemption,  repurchase  or
defeasance,  shall not exceed  the  Restricted  Payment  Limit in effect at such
date.

     SECTION  9.3.   NEGATIVE  PLEDGE.   Neither  Borrower  nor  any  Restricted
Subsidiary will create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset owned by
it (other than Permitted Encumbrances).

     SECTION  9.4.   CONSOLIDATIONS  AND  MERGERS.   Neither  Borrower  nor  any
Subsidiary of Borrower will  consolidate or merge with or into any other Person;
provided,  that so long as no Default or Event of Default  exists or will result
(a) Borrower may merge or consolidate with another Person so long as Borrower is
the surviving  corporation,  (b) any Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower may merge
or consolidate with or into another Restricted  Subsidiary of Borrower,  (c) any
Unrestricted Subsidiary may merge with or into another Unrestricted  Subsidiary,
(d) any  Unrestricted  Subsidiary  may merge with any other  Person other than a
Restricted  Subsidiary so long as such Unrestricted  Subsidiary is the surviving
corporation,  and (e) any Restricted  Subsidiary may merge with any other Person
so long as such  Restricted  Subsidiary  is the surviving  corporation  and is a
wholly owned Subsidiary of Borrower after giving effect thereto.

     SECTION 9.5.  ASSET  DISPOSITIONS.  Except as provided in this SECTION 9.5,
neither  Borrower nor any Restricted  Subsidiary shall sell,  lease,  abandon or
otherwise  transfer any of its assets to any other Person other than pursuant to
an Exempt Transfer.  Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted
to sell or otherwise dispose of any asset other than (a) oil and gas properties,
(b) Related  Assets,  (c) debt and equity  securities  issued by any  Restricted
Subsidiary,  and (d) accounts (as such term is defined in the Uniform Commercial
Code).  Borrower and its Restricted  Subsidiaries shall be permitted to sell oil
and gas properties and Related Assets;  provided that the aggregate value of all
oil and gas  properties  and Related  Assets sold by Borrower and its Restricted
Subsidiaries during any period between Periodic  Determinations shall not exceed
the greater of (i)  $5,000,000,  or (ii) five percent (5%) of the Borrowing Base
then in effect.

     SECTION 9.6. AMENDMENTS TO MATERIAL DOCUMENTS.  Borrower will not, nor will
Borrower  permit  any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  to,  (a) enter  into any
material  modification  or amendment of, grant any material  consent  under,  or
waive any material  right or obligation of any Person under (i) its  certificate
or articles of  incorporation,  bylaws,  partnership  agreement,  regulations or
other  organizational  documents,  or (ii) any of the Merger  Documents,  or (b)
enter into any  modification  or amendment of, grant any consent under, or waive
any right or  obligation  of any  Person  under (i) the  Indenture,  or (ii) the
Subordinate Notes.

     SECTION  9.7.  USE OF  PROCEEDS.  The  proceeds  of  Borrowings  under  the
Commitment will not be used for any purpose other than (a) working capital,  (b)
to  finance  the  acquisition,  exploration  and  development  of  oil  and  gas
properties and Related Assets and the  transportation,  processing and marketing
of  hydrocarbons  by Borrower and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  (c) Restricted
Payments

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                                       48

permitted pursuant to SECTION 9.2, (d) Investments permitted pursuant to SECTION
9.8, and (e) to refinance the obligations  outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreement.  None of the  proceeds  of the Loan nor any  Letter of Credit  issued
hereunder  will be used,  directly or indirectly,  (i) for the purpose,  whether
immediate,  incidental or ultimate,  of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock,
or (ii)  in  violation  of  applicable  law or  regulation  (including,  without
limitation, the Margin Regulations).

     SECTION 9.8. INVESTMENTS. Neither Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary of
Borrower will, directly or indirectly,  make any Investment other than Permitted
Investments.

     SECTION 9.9. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.  Borrower will not, and Borrower
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries  to, engage in any material  transaction
with  an  affiliated  Person  (other  than,  in the  case  of  Borrower  and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries,  with each other) unless such transaction is generally
as  favorable  to Borrower or such  Subsidiary  as could be obtained in an arm's
length  transaction  with an  unaffiliated  Person in accordance with prevailing
industry customs and practices.

     SECTION 9.10. PLANS. Borrower will not, and Borrower will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, create, adopt or become bound by any Plan.

     SECTION  9.11.  OIL AND GAS HEDGE  TRANSACTIONS.  Borrower  will  not,  and
Borrower will not permit any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  to, enter into Oil
and Gas Hedge Transactions which would cause the volume of (a) (i) the aggregate
notional  volume  of oil  which  is  the  subject  of  oil  Oil  and  Gas  Hedge
Transactions  in existence at any time to exceed  seventy-five  percent (75%) of
Borrower's and its Restricted  Subsidiaries'  anticipated production of oil from
proved, developed producing reserves during the entire term of such existing Oil
and Gas Hedge Transactions,  and (ii) the notional volume of oil with respect to
which a settlement  is required on a particular  settlement  date under such Oil
and Gas Hedge  Transactions to exceed  seventy-five  percent (75%) of Borrower's
and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries'  anticipated  production  of oil from proved,
developed  producing  reserves for the period (a  "SETTLEMENT  PERIOD") from the
immediately   preceding  settlement  date  under  any  oil  Oil  and  Gas  Hedge
Transaction (or the  commencement of such Oil and Gas Hedge  Transactions in the
event there is no prior  settlement  date) to such settlement  date, and (b) (i)
the aggregate  notional  volume of gas which is the subject of gas Oil and Hedge
Transactions  in existence at any time to exceed  seventy-five  percent (75%) of
Borrower's and its Restricted  Subsidiaries'  anticipated production of gas from
proved, developed producing reserves during the entire term of such existing Oil
and Gas Hedge Transactions,  and (ii) the notional volume of gas with respect to
which a settlement  is required on a particular  settlement  date under such gas
Oil  and  Gas  Hedge  Transactions  to  exceed  seventy-five  percent  (75%)  of
Borrower's and its Restricted  Subsidiaries'  anticipated production of gas from
proved, developed producing reserves for any Settlement Period.

     SECTION 9.12. OBLIGATIONS OF UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES. Except as expressly
permitted by SECTION 9.2, Borrower will not, nor will Borrower permit any of its
Restricted   Subsidiaries   to,  incur  any   liability  or  obligation  to  any
Unrestricted Subsidiary of Borrower of any nature, or have any

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liability (whether by operation of law or otherwise) for any liability,  Debt or
obligation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary.

     SECTION 9.13. ACQUISITIONS. Borrower will not, nor will Borrower permit any
of its Restricted  Subsidiaries to, acquire, in a single transaction or a series
of related transactions, all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock
(or other  outstanding  equity  interests of any Person) or all or substantially
all of the assets  comprising a division of any Person;  provided,  that nothing
contained  in this  SECTION  9.13  shall  prohibit  Borrower  or any  Restricted
Subsidiary of Borrower from making any  acquisition of assets  consisting of oil
and  gas  properties  or  any  other  acquisition  which  is  also  a  Permitted
Investment.

     SECTION 9.14. OPERATING LEASES. Borrower will not, nor will Borrower permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, incur,  become, or remain liable under any Operating
Lease which would cause the aggregate  amount of all Rentals payable by Borrower
and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  in  any  Fiscal  Year  to  be  greater  than
$1,500,000.

     SECTION 9.15.  SPECULATIVE HEDGE TRANSACTIONS.  Borrower will not, nor will
Borrower permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any commodity,
interest  rate,  currency  or other  swap,  option,  collar or other  derivative
transaction pursuant to which Borrower or such Restricted  Subsidiary speculates
on  the  movement  of  commodity  prices,  securities  prices,  interest  rates,
financial  markets,  currency  markets or other  items;  provided,  that nothing
contained in this SECTION 9.15 shall  prohibit  Borrower  from (a) entering into
interest rate swaps or other interest rate hedge transactions  pursuant to which
Borrower  hedges  interest  rate risk with  respect to the  interest  reasonably
anticipated to be incurred pursuant to this Agreement, (b) entering into Oil and
Gas Hedge Transactions permitted by SECTION 9.11 hereof, or (c) making Permitted
Investments.

                                    ARTICLE X

                               FINANCIAL COVENANTS

     Borrower  agrees that,  so long as any Bank has any  commitment  to lend or
participate in Letter of Credit  Exposure  hereunder or any amount payable under
any Note remains unpaid or any Letter of Credit remains outstanding:

     (a) Borrower will not permit its ratio of  Consolidated  Current  Assets to
its Consolidated  Current  Liabilities as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter to be
less than 1 to 1.

     (b)  Borrower  will not permit  its ratio of  Consolidated  Funded  Debt to
Consolidated  Total Capital as of (i) the end of any Fiscal  Quarter  during the
Fiscal Year ending  December 31,  1997,  to exceed .55 to 1, and (ii) the end of
any Fiscal Quarter ending on or after March 31, 1998, to exceed .50 to 1.

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     (c)  Borrower  will not permit  its Ratio of  Consolidated  Funded  Debt to
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter commencing with
the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 1997, to exceed 3.5 to 1.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                    DEFAULTS

     SECTION 11.1.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  If one or more of the  following  events
(collectively  "EVENTS OF DEFAULT" and individually an "EVENT OF DEFAULT") shall
have occurred and be continuing:

     (a)  Borrower  shall fail to pay when due any  principal of any Note or any
reimbursement obligation with respect to any Letters of Credit when due;

     (b)  Borrower  shall fail to pay any accrued  interest due and owing on any
Note or any fees or any other amount payable hereunder when due and such failure
shall continue for a period of five (5) days;

     (c)  Borrower  shall fail to observe or perform any  covenant or  agreement
contained in ARTICLE IX or X;

     (d) Borrower or any Restricted  Subsidiary shall fail to observe or perform
any covenant or agreement  contained in this  Agreement or the other Loan Papers
(other than those covered by SECTIONS 11.1(A), (B) and (C)) for thirty (30) days
after written notice thereof has been given to Borrower by Administrative  Agent
at the request of any Bank, provided,  that, as to Defaults under SECTION 8.1(D)
and (G),  Borrower  shall not be entitled to more than one (1) notice and period
of cure  during  each  calendar  year,  and as to each  other  type of  Default,
Borrower  shall not be entitled to more than two (2) notices and periods of cure
during any calendar year;

     (e)  Borrower  shall fail to cause the  financial  statements  described in
SECTION 8.1(A) to be accompanied by the opinion  without  qualification  (except
for  qualifications  required  by  changes  in  accounting  methods  with  which
Borrower's auditors concur) of the accountants preparing such opinion, that such
financial  statements  were  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles and fairly present the consolidated financial position and
results of operations of Borrower;

     (f) any representation, warranty, certification or statement made or deemed
to have been made by any  Company  in this  Agreement  or by any  Company or any
other  Person on  behalf of any  Company  in any other  Loan  Paper or any other
certificate,  financial  statement or other document  delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made;

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     (g) any  Company  shall fail to pay any  Material  Debt at  maturity or any
event or  condition  (i) shall occur which  results in the  acceleration  of the
maturity of any Material  Debt of any Company,  or (ii) shall occur and continue
for a period of thirty  (30) days (or such  shorter  cure  period as is provided
pursuant to the terms of such Material Debt) which entitles (or, with the giving
of notice or lapse of time or both,  would unless cured or waived,  entitle) the
holder of such Material Debt to accelerate the maturity thereof;

     (h) any Company shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking
liquidation,  reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts
under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect
or seeking the  appointment  of a trustee,  receiver,  liquidator,  custodian or
other similar official of it or any substantial  part of its property,  or shall
consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking  possession by any
such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding  commenced  against it,
or shall make a general  assignment for the benefit of creditors,  or shall fail
generally  to pay its debts as they  become  due,  or shall  take any  corporate
action to authorize any of the foregoing;

     (i) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced  against any
Company seeking  liquidation,  reorganization or other relief with respect to it
or its debts  under  any  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar  law now or
hereafter  in  effect  or  seeking  the  appointment  of  a  trustee,  receiver,
liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of
its  property,  and such  involuntary  case or  other  proceeding  shall  remain
undismissed and unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or an order for relief
shall be entered against any Company under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or
hereafter in effect;

     (j)  one  (1) or  more  judgments  or  orders  for  the  payment  of  money
aggregating  in excess of $1,000,000  shall be rendered  against any Company and
such  judgment or order (i) shall  continue  unsatisfied  and  unstayed  (unless
bonded with a  supersedeas  bond at least equal to such judgment or order) for a
period of thirty (30) days or (ii) is not fully paid and  satisfied at least ten
(10) days prior to the date on which any of its assets may be  lawfully  sold to
satisfy such judgment or order;

     (k)  one  (1) or  more  judgments  or  orders  for  the  payment  of  money
aggregating  in excess of the sum of (i) ten percent (10%) of the Borrowing Base
then in effect,  PLUS (ii) (A) the amount of such  judgment  which is covered by
insurance to the satisfaction of Administrative  Agent and its counsel,  and (B)
any amounts which Borrower or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  has deposited
with Administrative Agent to be held by Administrative Agent as security for the
payment  of such  judgment  shall be  rendered  against  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries, whether or not otherwise bonded or stayed;

     (l) an Event of Default shall occur under and as defined in the Indenture;

     (m) any Company shall incur Environmental  Liabilities which,  individually
or when considered in the aggregate for all Companies, exceeds $10,000,000;

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     (n) this  Agreement or any other Loan Paper shall cease to be in full force
and effect or shall be declared null and void or the validity or  enforceability
thereof  shall  be  contested  or  challenged  by  Borrower  or  any  Restricted
Subsidiary  of Borrower,  or Borrower or any  Restricted  Subsidiary of Borrower
shall deny that it has any further liability or obligation under any of the Loan
Papers,  or any Lien created by the Loan Papers shall for any reason (other than
the release  thereof in  accordance  with the Loan Papers)  cease to be a valid,
first priority,  perfected Lien upon any of the property purported to be covered
thereby;

     (o) any Person or group (as defined in Section  13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934) shall become the direct or indirect beneficial
owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934) of
more than 30% of the total  voting  power of all  classes of capital  stock then
outstanding  of  SOCO  entitled   (without  regard  to  the  occurrence  of  any
contingency) to vote in elections of directors of SOCO;

     (p) at any date,  more than fifty percent (50%) of the Person's  comprising
SOCO's  board of directors  are Persons who were not  directors of SOCO one year
prior to such date; or

     (q) SOCO shall cease, for any reason,  to be the legal and beneficial owner
of more than fifty  percent  (50%) of the total  voting  power of all classes of
capital  stock then  outstanding  of Borrower  entitled  (without  regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in elections of directors of Borrower;

then, and in every such event,  Administrative  Agent shall without presentment,
notice or demand (unless expressly  provided for herein) of any kind (including,
without limitation, notice of intention to accelerate and acceleration),  all of
which are hereby  waived,  (a) if requested  by Required  Banks,  terminate  the
Commitment and it shall  thereupon  terminate,  and (b) if requested by Required
Banks, take such other actions as may be permitted by the Loan Papers including,
declaring the Notes, or any of them, (together with accrued interest thereon) to
be, and the Notes, or any of them, shall thereupon  become,  immediately due and
payable; PROVIDED THAT (c) in the case of any of the Events of Default specified
in SECTION  11.1(H) or (I),  without  any notice to Borrower or any other act by
Administrative  Agent or Banks, the Commitment shall thereupon terminate and the
Notes (together with accrued interest thereon) shall become  immediately due and
payable.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                                     AGENTS

     SECTION 12.1. APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION. Each Bank irrevocably appoints
and  authorizes  each  Agent to take such  action as agent on its  behalf and to
exercise such powers under this  Agreement,  the Notes and the other Loan Papers
as are delegated to such Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with all
such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto,  PROVIDED THAT, as between and
among Banks and Agents, no Agent will prosecute, settle or compromise any claim

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against Borrower or release or institute  enforcement  proceedings,  except with
the consent of Required  Banks.  Each Bank and  Borrower  agree that none of the
Agents are a fiduciary  for Banks or for  Borrower  but each simply is acting in
the  capacity  described  herein to  alleviate  administrative  burdens for both
Borrower and Banks and that no Agent has any duties or responsibilities to Banks
or Borrower except those expressly set forth herein.

     SECTION 12.2. AGENTS AND AFFILIATES.  Each Agent in its individual capacity
and not as Agent  hereunder  shall have the same  rights  and powers  under this
Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise or refrain from exercising the same
as  though  it were not an Agent  hereunder  and  each  Agent in its  individual
capacity and not as Agent hereunder may accept deposits from, lend money to, and
generally  engage in any kind of business with Borrower and its Subsidiaries and
Affiliates as if such parties were not Agents hereunder.

     SECTION 12.3.  ACTION BY AGENTS.  The  obligations of Agents  hereunder are
only those  expressly set forth herein.  Without  limiting the generality of the
foregoing,  no Agent shall be  required  to take any action with  respect to any
Default  or Event of  Default,  except as  expressly  provided  in  ARTICLE  XI.
Notwithstanding the administrative authority delegated to Agents, no Agent shall
without the prior written approval of all Banks cause or permit any modification
of the Loan  Papers  which  would (a)  increase  the  Commitment  of any Bank or
subject any Bank to any additional obligations, (b) forgive any of the principal
or reduce the rate of interest on the Loan or any fees  hereunder,  (c) postpone
the date fixed for payment of  principal  of or interest on the Loan or any fees
hereunder including the Termination Date, (d) change the percentage of the Total
Commitment,  or the number of Banks which shall be required  for Banks or any of
them to take any  action  under  SECTION  14.5 or any  other  provision  of this
Agreement,  (e) permit Borrower to assign any of its rights hereunder, (f) amend
or waive any of the provisions of ARTICLE IV or of the definitions  contained in
SECTION 1.1 applicable  thereto,  or (g) provide for the release or substitution
of  collateral  for the Loan other than releases  required  pursuant to sales of
collateral  which are  expressly  permitted  under  SECTION 9.5.  Subject to the
foregoing,  each Agent shall make such  requests or take such actions in respect
of  Borrower  as the  Required  Banks  shall  direct.  Further,  subject  to the
foregoing,  each Agent shall grant such waivers,  consents or approvals in favor
of Borrower as the Required Banks shall direct.

     SECTION 12.4.  CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS. Each Agent may consult with legal
counsel (who may be counsel for Borrower),  independent  public  accountants and
other  experts  selected  by it and shall not be liable for any action  taken or
omitted  to be taken by it in good faith in  accordance  with the advice of such
counsel, accountants or experts.

     SECTION  12.5.  LIABILITY  OF  AGENTS.  None of the Agents nor any of their
respective  directors,  officers,  agents,  or employees shall be liable for any
action  taken or not taken by such  Agent in  connection  herewith  (a) with the
consent or at the  request of Required  Banks,  or (b) in the absence of its own
gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct,  IT BEING THE INTENTION OF BANKS THAT
SUCH  PARTIES  SHALL  NOT BE  LIABLE  FOR THE  CONSEQUENCES  OF  THEIR  ORDINARY
NEGLIGENCE. None of the Agents nor any of their respective officers,

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directors,  agents or  employees  shall be  responsible  for or have any duty to
ascertain, inquire into or verify (i) any statement,  warranty or representation
made in  connection  with this  Agreement or any borrowing  hereunder,  (ii) the
performance  or  observance  of any of the  covenants or agreements of Borrower,
(iii) the satisfaction of any condition  specified in ARTICLE VI, except receipt
of items required to be delivered to Administrative Agent, or (iv) the validity,
effectiveness  or  genuineness  of  this  Agreement,  the  Notes  or  any  other
instrument or writing furnished in connection herewith. No Agent shall incur any
liability  by  acting  in  reliance  upon  any  notice,  consent,   certificate,
statement, or other writing (which may be a bank wire, telex or similar writing)
believed  by it to be genuine or to be signed by the proper  party or parties or
upon any oral notice  which Agent  believes  will be confirmed in writing by the
proper  party or parties.  If any Agent fails to take any action  required to be
taken by it under the Loan Papers  after the  occurrence  of an Event of Default
and within a reasonable  time after being  requested to do so by any Bank (after
such requesting Bank has obtained the approval of such other Banks as required),
such Agent shall not suffer or incur any liability as a result thereof, but such
requesting Bank may request such Agent to resign,  whereupon such Agent shall so
resign pursuant to SECTION 12.9.

     SECTION  12.6.  DELEGATION  OF DUTIES.  Each Agent may  execute  any of its
duties hereunder by or through officers,  directors,  employees,  attorneys,  or
agents.

     SECTION 12.7. INDEMNIFICATION.  Each Bank shall, ratably in accordance with
its Commitment Percentage, indemnify each Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by
Borrower) against any cost, expense (including counsel fees and  disbursements),
claim,  demand,  action,  loss or  liability  (except  such as result  from such
Agent's gross  negligence or willful  misconduct)  that such Agent may suffer or
incur in connection  with this  Agreement or any action taken or omitted by such
Agent  hereunder,  including  without  limitation,  matters  arising out of such
Agent's  own  negligence.  IT BEING THE  INTENTION  OF EACH BANK THAT EACH AGENT
SHALL BE INDEMNIFIED FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF ITS ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE.

     SECTION  12.8.  CREDIT  DECISION.  Each  Bank  acknowledges  that  it  has,
independently  and without  reliance upon any Agent or any other Bank, and based
on such  documents and  information as it has deemed  appropriate,  made its own
credit  analysis  and  decision  to enter  into this  Agreement.  Each Bank also
acknowledges that it will,  independently and without reliance upon any Agent or
any other Bank,  and based on such  documents and  information  as it shall deem
appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking any action under this Agreement.

     SECTION 12.9.  SUCCESSOR AGENT. Each Agent may resign at any time by giving
written notice thereof to Banks and Borrower.  In addition,  Borrower may, prior
to a Default,  request the designation by Banks of a successor  Agent.  Upon any
such request by Borrower or resignation  by an Agent,  Required Banks shall have
the right to  appoint a  successor  Agent,  which  shall be one of Banks.  If no
successor Agent shall have been so appointed by Required Banks and accepted such
appointment  within thirty (30) days after the retiring Agent's giving of notice
of resignation or Borrower's  request for a successor  Agent,  then the retiring
Agent may, on behalf of Banks, appoint a successor Agent (as applicable),  which
shall (a) be a commercial bank organized under the laws

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of the United  States of America or of any State  thereof  and having a combined
capital and surplus of at least  $500,000,000 and (b) unless the successor Agent
is a Bank, be  reasonably  acceptable  to Borrower.  Upon the  acceptance of its
appointment as a successor Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and  become  vested  with all the  rights and duties of the  retiring
Agent,  and  the  retiring  Agent  shall  be  discharged  from  its  duties  and
obligations hereunder.  After any Agent's resignation hereunder,  the provisions
of this  SECTION  12.9 shall  continue to inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent hereunder.  Borrower shall
be entitled to  recommend a successor  Agent at the time of  designation  of any
successor   Agent   pursuant  to  this  SECTION  12.9.   Banks  shall  give  due
consideration  to the  successor  nominated  by  Borrower,  but  shall  have  no
obligation to approve such nominee.

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                       PROTECTION OF YIELD; CHANGE IN LAWS

     SECTION 13.1. BASIS FOR DETERMINING  INTEREST RATE APPLICABLE TO EURODOLLAR
TRANCHES INADEQUATE. If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period with
respect to a Borrowing:

     (a)  Administrative  Agent is advised by any Bank that  deposits in dollars
(in the  applicable  amounts)  are not  being  offered  to such  Bank(s)  in the
relevant market for such Interest Period, or

     (b) Banks having fifty percent (50%) or more of the aggregate amount of the
Total Commitment advise  Administrative  Agent that the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate
as determined by Administrative Agent will not adequately and fairly reflect the
cost to such Banks of funding their respective shares of the requested Borrowing
which  will be  subject  to a  Eurodollar  Tranche  for  such  Interest  Period,
Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to Borrower and Banks,  whereupon
the  obligations  of Banks to allow  interest to be computed by reference to the
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be suspended until  Administrative Agent notifies
Borrower that the circumstances  giving rise to such suspension no longer exist.
Unless Borrower notifies Administrative Agent at least two (2) Domestic Business
Days  before the date of any  Borrowing  for which a Request for  Borrowing  has
previously  been given that it elects not to borrow on such date, such Borrowing
shall instead be made as an Adjusted Base Rate Borrowing.

     SECTION 13.2.  ILLEGALITY OF  EURODOLLAR  LOANS.  (a) If, after the date of
this Agreement,  the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation,  or any
change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by
any governmental  authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation  or  administration  thereof,  or  compliance by any Bank (or its
Eurodollar  Lending Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having
the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency shall
make it unlawful or impossible for any Bank (or its Eurodollar  Lending  Office)
to make,  maintain  or fund any  portion  of the Loan  subject  to a  Eurodollar
Tranche and such Bank shall so notify Administrative Agent, Administrative

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Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the other Banks and Borrower. Until
such Bank  notifies  Borrower and  Administrative  Agent that the  circumstances
giving rise to such  suspension no longer exist,  the obligation of such Bank to
maintain or fund any portion of the Loan subject to a Eurodollar  Tranche  shall
be suspended.  Before giving any notice to Administrative Agent pursuant to this
SECTION 13.2, such Bank shall designate a different Eurodollar Lending Office if
such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice and will not, in the
judgment of such Bank, be otherwise  disadvantageous  to such Bank. If such Bank
shall  determine  that it may not  lawfully  continue to  maintain  and fund any
portion of the Loan outstanding  subject to a Eurodollar Tranche to maturity and
shall  so  specify  in such  notice,  Borrower  shall  immediately  convert  the
principal  amount of the Loan  which is subject  to a  Eurodollar  Tranche to an
Adjusted Base Rate Tranche of an equal principal amount from such Bank (on which
interest and principal  shall be payable  contemporaneously  with the unaffected
Eurodollar Tranches of the other Banks).

     (b) No Bank shall be  required  to make the Loan (or any  portion  thereof)
hereunder  if the  making  of the  Loan  (or any  portion  thereof)  would be in
violation of any law applicable to such Bank.

     SECTION  13.3.  INCREASED  COST OF  EURODOLLAR  TRANCHE.  If after the date
hereof,  the adoption of any applicable  law, rule or regulation,  or any change
therein,  or any change in the  interpretation or administration  thereof by any
governmental  authority,  central  bank or  comparable  agency  charged with the
interpretation  or  administration  thereof,  or  compliance by any Bank (or its
Lending  Office) with any request or directive  (whether or not having the force
of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency:

     (a) shall  subject  any Bank (or its  Lending  Office) to any tax,  duty or
other  charge  with  respect to  maintaining  or funding any portion of the Loan
subject to a Eurodollar Tranche, its Note or its obligation to allow interest to
be computed by reference to the Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate shall change the basis
of taxation of payments to any Bank (or its Lending  Office) of the principal of
or  interest  on any  portion of the Loan  which is  subject  to any  Eurodollar
Tranche or any other amounts due under this  Agreement in respect of any portion
of the Loan which is subsequent to any  Eurodollar  Tranche or its obligation to
allow  interest to be computed by  reference  to the  Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate
(except for changes in the rate of Tax on the overall net income of such Bank or
its Lending Office imposed by the  jurisdiction  in which such Bank's  principal
executive office or Lending Office is located); or

     (b) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or
similar requirement (including, without limitation, any such requirement imposed
by the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System,  but  excluding  with
respect to any Eurodollar Tranche any such requirement included in an applicable
Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage)  against  assets of,  deposits  with or for the
account of or credit  extended by, any Bank's  Lending Office or shall impose on
any Bank (or its Lending Office) or the applicable  interbank  Eurodollar market
or any other condition affecting Eurodollar Tranches, its Note or its obligation
to allow interest to be computed by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate;

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and the result of any of the  foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or
its Lending Office) of funding or maintaining any portion of the Loan subject to
a Eurodollar  Tranche, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable
by such Bank (or its Lending Office) under this Agreement or under its Note with
respect thereto,  by an amount deemed by such Bank to be material,  then, within
five (5) days  after  demand  by such  Bank  (with a copy to the  Administrative
Agent),  Borrower  shall pay to such Bank such  additional  amount or amounts as
will compensate  such Bank for such increased cost or reduction.  Each Bank will
promptly notify Borrower and  Administrative  Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge,  occurring  after the date  hereof,  which will  entitle such Bank to
compensation  pursuant  to this  SECTION  13.3 and will  designate  a  different
Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount
of, such  compensation  and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise
disadvantageous  to such Bank. A certificate  of any Bank claiming  compensation
under this SECTION 13.3 and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be
paid to it hereunder  shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest  error.  In
determining  such  amount,  such  Bank  may use  any  reasonable  averaging  and
attribution methods.

     SECTION  13.4.   ADJUSTED  BASE  RATE  TRANCHE   SUBSTITUTED  FOR  AFFECTED
EURODOLLAR  TRANCHE.  If (a) the  obligation of any Bank to fund or maintain any
portion of the Loan subject to a Eurodollar  Tranche has been suspended pursuant
to SECTION  13.2, or (b) any Bank has demanded  compensation  under SECTION 13.3
and Borrower shall,  by at least five (5) Eurodollar  Business Days prior notice
to such Bank through the Administrative  Agent, have elected that the provisions
of this SECTION 13.4 shall apply to such Bank, then,  unless and until such Bank
notifies  Borrower  that the  circumstances  giving rise to such  suspension  or
demand for compensation no longer apply:

     (a) any Tranche which would  otherwise be  characterized  by such Bank as a
Eurodollar  Tranche  shall  instead be deemed an Adjusted  Base Rate Tranche (on
which  interest  and  principal  shall  be  payable  contemporaneously  with the
unaffected Eurodollar Tranches of the other Banks); and

     (b) after all of its Eurodollar  Tranches have been repaid, all payments of
principal which would otherwise be applied to repay Eurodollar Tranches shall be
applied to repay its Adjusted Base Rate Tranches instead.

     SECTION 13.5.  CAPITAL ADEQUACY.  If after the date hereof, the adoption of
any applicable law, rule or regulation,  or any change therein, or any change in
the  interpretation or administration  thereof,  by any governmental  authority,
central  bank  or  comparable   agency  charged  with  the   interpretation   or
administration  thereof,  or compliance by any Bank (or its Lending Office) with
any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law), shall:

     (a)  impose,  modify  or deem  applicable  any  reserve,  special  deposit,
compensatory loan, deposit insurance, capital adequacy, minimum capital, capital
ratio or similar  requirement  against  all or any assets  held by,  deposits or
accounts with,  credit extended by or to, or commitments to extend credit or any
other acquisition of funds by any Bank (or its Lending Office), or impose on

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any Bank (or its  Lending  Office)  any other  condition,  with  respect  to the
maintenance by such Bank of all or any part of its Commitment; or

     (b) subject any Bank (or its Lending  Office) to, or cause the  termination
or  reduction of a previously  granted  exemption  with respect to, any Tax with
respect  to the  maintenance  by such Bank of all or any part of its  Commitment
(other than Taxes  assessed  against such Bank's  overall net  income);  and the
result  of any of the  foregoing  is to  increase  the cost to such Bank (or its
Lending  Office) of  maintaining  its  Commitment or to reduce the amount of any
sums received or receivable by it (or its Lending  Office) under this  Agreement
or any other Loan Paper,  or to reduce the rate of return on such Bank's  equity
in connection with this  Agreement,  as the case may be, by an amount which such
Bank deems  material  then, in any such case,  within five (5) days of demand by
such  Bank  (or its  Lending  Office)  (with a copy  to  Administrative  Agent),
Borrower shall pay to such Bank (or its Lending Office) such  additional  amount
or  amounts  as will  compensate  such  Bank for any  additional  cost,  reduced
benefit,  reduced  amount  received  or reduced  rate of return.  Each Bank will
promptly notify Borrower and  Administrative  Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge,  occurring  after the date  hereof,  which will  entitle such Bank to
compensation  pursuant to this SECTION 13.5. A certificate  of any Bank claiming
compensation  under this SECTION 13.5 and setting forth the additional amount or
amounts  to be paid to it  hereunder  shall  be  conclusive  in the  absence  of
manifest  error.  In determining  such amount,  such Bank may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods.

     Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  in the  event  any  event or  condition
described  in this  SECTION  13.5  shall  occur or arise  which  relates  to the
maintenance by any Bank of that part of its Commitment which is in excess of its
Commitment  Percentage of the Borrowing Base then in effect (such excess portion
of such  Commitment  of any  Bank is  hereinafter  referred  to as its  "SURPLUS
COMMITMENT"),  such Bank shall notify  Administrative  Agent and Borrower of the
occurrence of such event or the existence of such condition and of the amount of
a fee (to be computed on a per annum basis with  respect to such Bank's  Surplus
Commitment)  which such Bank  determines in good faith will compensate such Bank
for such additional cost,  reduced  benefit,  reduced amount received or reduced
rate of return. Within five (5) Domestic Business Days following receipt of such
notice,  Borrower  shall notify such Bank whether it accepts or rejects such fee
(if  Borrower  fails to timely  respond to such notice it will be deemed to have
accepted such fee). If Borrower  rejects such fee, the applicable  Commitment of
each Bank will be  automatically  and permanently  reduced to the Borrowing Base
applicable to such Commitment and then in effect.  If Borrower accepts such fee,
such fee shall accrue from and after the date of such Bank's notice and shall be
payable in arrears  (based on the daily average  balance of such Bank's  Surplus
Commitment) on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter and on the Termination  Date.
Such fee shall be in lieu of any amounts to which such Bank would  otherwise  be
entitled in respect of its Surplus  Commitment  pursuant to the other provisions
of this SECTION 13.5 for the period on and after the date of such notice  unless
such Bank determines that such fee is not adequate to fully compensate such Bank
for any additional  cost,  reduced  benefit,  reduced amount received or reduced
rate of return such Bank may thereafter  incur in respect of such Bank's Surplus
Commitment.  In that  event  such  Bank  shall be  entitled  to such  additional
compensation to which such Bank is otherwise  entitled  pursuant to this SECTION
13.5.

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     SECTION 13.6.  TAXES. All amounts payable by Borrower under the Loan Papers
(whether  principal,  interest,  fees,  expenses,  or  otherwise)  to or for the
account  of each  Bank  shall  be  paid  in  full,  free  of any  deductions  or
withholdings  for or on account of any Taxes.  If Borrower is  prohibited by law
from paying any such amount free of any such deductions and  withholdings,  then
(at the same time and in the same manner that such original  amount is otherwise
due under the Loan Papers) Borrower shall pay to or for the account of such Bank
such  additional  amount as may be  necessary  in order that the  actual  amount
received by such Bank after deduction  and/or  withholding (and after payment of
any  additional  Taxes due as a  consequence  of the payment of such  additional
amount,  and so on) will equal the amount such Bank would have  received if such
deduction or withholding were not made.

     SECTION 13.7. DISCRETION OF BANKS AS TO MANNER OF FUNDING.  Notwithstanding
any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, each Bank shall be entitled to
fund and maintain its funding of all or any part of its Commitment in any manner
it sees  fit,  it  being  understood,  however,  that for the  purposes  of this
Agreement  all  determinations  hereunder  shall  be made as if  such  Bank  had
actually  funded and maintained the Loan (or any portion  thereof)  subject to a
Eurodollar  Tranche  during the  Interest  Period  for the Loan (or any  portion
thereof) through the purchase of deposits having a maturity corresponding to the
last day of such  Interest  Period  and  bearing an  interest  rate equal to the
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period.

                                   ARTICLE XIV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 14.1. NOTICES.  All notices,  requests and other  communications to
any party  hereunder  shall be in  writing  (including  bank wire,  telecopy  or
similar  writing) and shall be given (a) if to Agent or any Bank,  to such party
at its address,  telex or telecopy number set forth on SCHEDULE 1 hereof, or (b)
if to Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  at the  address,  telex or telecopy
number  for  Borrower  set forth on the  signature  page  hereto  or such  other
address,  telex or telecopy  number as such party may hereafter  specify for the
purpose by notice to Administrative Agent and Borrower, as the case may be. Each
such notice,  request or other  communication shall be effective (a) if given by
telecopy,  when such telecopy is transmitted to the telecopy number specified in
this  SECTION  14.1 and the  appropriate  answerback  is  received or receipt is
otherwise  confirmed,  (b) if given by mail, one (1) Domestic Business Day after
deposit in the mails with first class postage  prepaid,  addressed as aforesaid,
or (c) if given by any other means,  when delivered at the address  specified in
this SECTION 14.1;  PROVIDED THAT notices to Administrative  Agent under ARTICLE
II or XIII shall not be effective until received.

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     SECTION 14.2.  NO WAIVERS.  No failure or delay by any Agent or any Bank in
exercising  any right,  power or privilege  hereunder or under any Note or other
Loan Paper  shall  operate as a waiver  thereof  nor shall any single or partial
exercise  thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies herein provided
shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies  provided by law
or in any of the other Loan Papers.

     SECTION 14.3. EXPENSES;  DOCUMENTARY TAXES;  INDEMNIFICATION.  (a) Borrower
shall pay (i) all  out-of-pocket  expenses of  Administrative  Agent,  including
reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel for  Administrative  Agent,
in connection  with the  preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Papers
and, if appropriate,  the recordation of the Loan Papers,  any waiver or consent
hereunder or any amendment  hereof or any Default or alleged Default  hereunder,
and (ii) if an Event of Default occurs,  all out-of-pocket  expenses incurred by
each  Agent and each  Bank,  including  fees and  disbursements  of  counsel  in
connection  with such  Event of Default  and  collection  and other  enforcement
proceedings  resulting  therefrom,  fees of auditors and consultants incurred in
connection therewith and investigation  expenses incurred by each Agent and each
Bank in connection  therewith.  Borrower  shall  indemnify each Bank against any
Taxes imposed by reason of the  execution and delivery of this  Agreement or the
Notes.

     (b)  Borrower  agrees to  indemnify  each Agent and each Bank and hold each
Agent and each Bank harmless from and against any and all  liabilities,  losses,
damages,  costs and expenses of any kind  (including,  without  limitation,  the
reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of counsel  for each Agent and each Bank in
connection  with  any  investigative,  administrative  or  judicial  proceeding,
whether  or not such Bank  shall be  designated  a party  thereto)  which may be
incurred by any Agent or any Bank  relating to or arising out of this  Agreement
or any actual or proposed  use of proceeds  of the Loan;  PROVIDED  THAT no Bank
shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct,  IT BEING THE INTENTION HEREBY THAT EACH BANK AND EACH AGENT
SHALL BE INDEMNIFIED FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF ITS OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE.

     SECTION 14.4.  RIGHT AND SHARING OF SET-OFFS.  (a) Upon the  occurrence and
during the continuance of any Event of Default,  each Bank is hereby  authorized
at any time and from time to time,  to the fullest  extent  permitted by law, to
set off and apply any and all  deposits  (general  or  special,  time or demand,
provisional or final) at any time held and other  indebtedness at any time owing
by such Bank to or for the credit or the account of Borrower against any and all
of the  obligations  of Borrower now or hereafter  existing under this Agreement
and any Note held by such Bank,  irrespective  of whether or not such Bank shall
have  made any  demand  under  this  Agreement  or such Note and  although  such
obligations may be unmatured. Each Bank agrees promptly to notify Borrower after
any such setoff and application made by such Bank,  provided that the failure to
give such notice shall not affect the  validity of such setoff and  application.
The rights of each Bank under this  SECTION  14.4(A)  are in  addition  to other
rights and  remedies  (including,  without  limitation,  other rights of setoff)
which such Bank may have.

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     (b) Each Bank agrees that if it shall, by exercising any right of setoff or
counterclaim  or otherwise,  receive payment after the occurrence and during the
continuance  of an Event of Default of a proportion of the  aggregate  amount of
principal  and  interest  due with respect to the Loan which is greater than the
proportion received by any other Bank in respect of the Loan, the Bank receiving
such  proportionately  greater payment shall purchase such participations in the
interests in the Loan held by the other Banks, and such other  adjustments shall
be made,  as may be required so that all such payments of principal and interest
with  respect  to the Loan held by Banks  shall be shared  by Banks  ratably  in
accordance with their respective Commitment  Percentages;  PROVIDED THAT nothing
in this SECTION 14.4 shall impair the right of any Bank to exercise any right of
setoff or  counterclaim  it may have and to apply  the  amount  subject  to such
exercise to the payment of indebtedness of Borrower other than its  indebtedness
under the Loan.  Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so
under  applicable  law,  that  Participants  may  exercise  rights  of setoff or
counterclaim and other rights with respect to such  participation as fully as if
such holder of a participation  were a direct creditor of Borrower in the amount
of such participation.

     SECTION 14.5. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. Any provision of this Agreement,  the
Notes or the other  Loan  Papers  may be  amended or waived if, but only if such
amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by Borrower  and Required  Banks
(and, if the rights or duties of any Agent are affected thereby, by such Agent);
PROVIDED THAT no such amendment or waiver shall, unless signed by all Banks, (a)
increase  the  Commitment  of any Bank or  subject  any  Bank to any  additional
obligation,  (b) forgive any of the  principal of or reduce the rate of interest
on the Loan or any fees  hereunder,  (c) postpone the date fixed for any payment
of  principal  of or interest on the Loan or any fees  hereunder  including  the
Termination  Date, (d) change the  percentages of the Total  Commitment,  or the
number of Banks which shall be required for the Banks or any of them to take any
action  under this SECTION 14.5 or any other  provision of this  Agreement,  (e)
permit Borrower to assign any of its rights hereunder, (f) amend or waive any of
the  provisions  of  ARTICLE IV or the  definitions  contained  in  SECTION  1.1
applicable thereto, or (g) provide for release or substitution of collateral for
the  Obligations  or any part thereof other than releases  required  pursuant to
sales of  collateral  which are  expressly  permitted  by  SECTION  9.5  hereof.
Borrower, Agent and each Bank further acknowledge that any decision by any Agent
or any Bank to enter into any amendment, waiver or consent pursuant hereto shall
be made by such Bank or Agent in its sole  discretion,  and in  making  any such
decision  each such  Agent and each such  Bank  shall be  permitted  to give due
consideration  to any  credit or other  relationship  any such Agent or any such
Bank  may  have  with  Borrower,   any  Affiliate  of  Borrower,  or  any  other
Unrestricted Subsidiary of Borrower.

     SECTION 14.6. SURVIVAL. All representations,  warranties and covenants made
by Borrower herein or in any certificate or other instrument  delivered by it or
in its behalf under the Loan Papers shall be considered to have been relied upon
by Banks and shall  survive  the  delivery  to Banks of such Loan  Papers or the
extension of the Loan (or any part  thereof),  regardless  of any  investigation
made by or on behalf of Banks.

     SECTION 14.7. LIMITATION ON INTEREST. Regardless of any provision contained
in the Loan Papers, Banks shall never be entitled to receive, collect, or apply,
as interest on the Loan, any

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amount  in excess of the  Maximum  Lawful  Rate,  and in the  event  Banks  ever
receive,  collect or apply as interest any such excess,  such amount which would
be deemed excessive  interest shall be deemed a partial  prepayment of principal
and treated  hereunder as such;  and if the Loan is paid in full,  any remaining
excess shall  promptly be paid to Borrower.  In  determining  whether or not the
interest  paid or payable  under any  specific  contingency  exceeds the Maximum
Lawful Rate,  Borrower and Banks shall, to the extent permitted under applicable
law, (a)  characterize any  nonprincipal  payment as an expense,  fee or premium
rather than as  interest,  (b)  exclude  voluntary  prepayments  and the effects
thereof and (c)  amortize,  prorate,  allocate and spread,  in equal parts,  the
total  amount of the interest  throughout  the entire  contemplated  term of the
applicable  Notes,  so  that  the  interest  rate  is the  Maximum  Lawful  Rate
throughout the entire term of the Notes;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that if the unpaid
principal  balance thereof is paid and performed in full prior to the end of the
full  contemplated  term  thereof,  and if the interest  received for the actual
period of existence  thereof exceeds the Maximum Lawful Rate, Banks shall refund
to Borrower  the amount of such  excess  and, in such event,  Banks shall not be
subject to any penalties  provided by any laws for  contracting  for,  charging,
taking, reserving or receiving interest in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate.

     SECTION 14.8.  INVALID  PROVISIONS.  If any provision of the Loan Papers is
held to be  illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable  under  present or future laws
effective during the term thereof, such provision shall be fully severable,  the
Loan Papers shall be  construed  and enforced as if such  illegal,  invalid,  or
unenforceable  provision had never  comprised a part thereof,  and the remaining
provisions  thereof  shall  remain  in full  force and  effect  and shall not be
affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance
therefrom.  Furthermore,  in lieu of such  illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable
provision  there  shall be added  automatically  as a part of the Loan  Papers a
provision  as  similar  in  terms to such  illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable
provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

     SECTION 14.9. WAIVER OF CONSUMER CREDIT LAWS.  Pursuant to Article 15.10(b)
of Chapter 15,  Subtitle 79, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas,  1925, as amended,
Borrower  agrees that such Chapter 15 shall not govern or in any manner apply to
the Loan.

     SECTION 14.10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. (a) Each Loan Paper binds and inures
to the  parties  to it,  any  intended  beneficiary  of it,  and  each of  their
respective  successors and permitted assigns.  No Company may assign or transfer
any rights or  obligations  under any Loan Paper  without  first  obtaining  all
Banks'  consent,  and any purported  assignment  or transfer  without all Banks'
consent is void. No Bank may transfer,  pledge,  assign,  sell any participation
in, or otherwise  encumber its portion of the Obligations except as permitted by
clauses (b) or (c) below.

     (b) Any Bank may (subject to the provisions of this section,  in accordance
with applicable  law, in the ordinary  course of its business,  and at any time)
sell to one or more Persons (each a  "PARTICIPANT")  participating  interests in
its portion of the Obligations. The selling Bank remains a "Bank" under the Loan
Papers,  the Participant does not become a "Bank" under the Loan Papers, and the
selling Bank's  obligations under the Loan Papers remain unchanged.  The selling
Bank remains  solely  responsible  for the  performance of its  obligations  and
remains the holder of its

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share of the outstanding  Loan for all purposes under the Loan Papers.  Borrower
and each Agent shall  continue to deal solely and directly with the selling Bank
in connection with that Bank's rights and obligations under the Loan Papers, and
each  Bank  must  retain  the sole  right  and  responsibility  to  enforce  due
obligations of the Companies.  Participants have no rights under the Loan Papers
except certain voting rights as provided below.  Subject to the following,  each
Bank may obtain (on behalf of its  Participants)  the  benefits of ARTICLE  XIII
with respect to all  participations  in its part of the Obligations  outstanding
from time to time so long as  Borrower  is not  obligated  to pay any  amount in
excess  of the  amount  that  would  be due to  that  Bank  under  ARTICLE  XIII
calculated  as though no  participations  have been  made.  No Bank may sell any
participating interest under which the Participant has any rights to approve any
amendment,  modification,  or waiver of any Loan  Paper  except as to matters in
SECTIONS 14.5(A) through 14.5(G).

     (c) Each Bank may make  assignments to the Federal  Reserve Bank. Each Bank
may also assign to one or more assignees (each an "ASSIGNEE") all or any part of
its rights and  obligations  under the Loan  Papers so long as (i) the  assignor
Bank and  Assignee  execute  and  deliver to each Agent and  Borrower  for their
consent and acceptance (that may not be unreasonably withheld) an assignment and
assumption  agreement in substantially the form of EXHIBIT G (an "ASSIGNMENT AND
ASSUMPTION  AGREEMENT")  and pay to  Administrative  Agent a  processing  fee of
$2,500,  (ii) the  Assignee  acquires an  identical  percentage  interest in the
Commitment of the assignor Bank and an identical  percentage of the interests in
the  outstanding  Loan held by such  assignor  Bank,  and  (iii) the  conditions
(including, without limitation, minimum amounts of the Total Commitment that may
be  assigned  or that must be  retained)  for that  assignment  set forth in the
applicable  Assignment  and Assumption  Agreement are satisfied.  The "Effective
Date" in each Assignment and Assumption  Agreement must (unless a shorter period
is agreeable to Borrower and Administrative Agent) be at least five (5) Domestic
Business  Days after it is  executed  and  delivered  by the  assignor  Bank and
Assignee  to  Administrative  Agent  and  Borrower  for  acceptance.  Once  that
Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement is accepted by  Administrative  Agent and
Borrower,  then,  from and after the  Effective  Date stated in it (i)  Assignee
automatically  becomes a party to this Agreement and, to the extent  provided in
that  Assignment and Assumption  Agreement,  has the rights and obligations of a
Bank under the Loan Papers,  (ii) the assignor  Bank, to the extent  provided in
that  Assignment and Assumption  Agreement,  is released from its obligations to
fund Borrowings  under this Agreement and its  reimbursement  obligations  under
this  Agreement  and,  in the case of an  Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement
covering  all  of the  remaining  portion  of the  assignor  Bank's  rights  and
obligations  under the Loan  Papers,  that Bank ceases to be a party to the Loan
Papers,  (iii)  Borrower  shall  execute  and deliver to the  assignor  Bank and
Assignee the appropriate  Notes in accordance with this Agreement  following the
transfer,  (iv) upon  delivery of the Notes under  clause (iii)  preceding,  the
assignor  Bank shall return to Borrower all Notes  previously  delivered to that
Bank under this  Agreement,  and (v)  SCHEDULE 1 is  automatically  deemed to be
amended to  reflect  the name,  address,  telecopy  number,  and  Commitment  of
Assignee  and the  remaining  Commitment  (if  any) of the  assignor  Bank,  and
Administrative  Agent shall  prepare  and  circulate  to  Borrower  and Banks an
amended SCHEDULE 1 reflecting those changes.

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     SECTION  14.11.  TEXAS LAW.  THIS  AGREEMENT,  EACH NOTE AND THE OTHER LOAN
PAPERS  HAVE  BEEN  EXECUTED  AND  DELIVERED  IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND
THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,  EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF
ANY STATE IN WHICH ANY  PROPERTY  INTENDED AS SECURITY  FOR THE  OBLIGATIONS  IS
LOCATED NECESSARILY GOVERN (A) THE PERFECTION AND PRIORITY OF THE LIENS IN FAVOR
OF AGENT AND BANKS WITH  RESPECT TO SUCH  PROPERTY,  AND (B) THE EXERCISE OF ANY
REMEDIES (INCLUDING FORECLOSURE) WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PROPERTY.

     SECTION 14.12. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION;  WAIVER OF IMMUNITIES. (a) Borrower
hereby  irrevocably  submits to the  jurisdiction  of any Texas State or Federal
court  sitting in the Northern  District of Texas over any action or  proceeding
arising out of or  relating  to this  Agreement  or any other Loan  Papers,  and
Borrower hereby  irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or
proceeding  may be heard and  determined  in such Texas State or Federal  court.
Borrower  hereby  irrevocably  appoints The  Corporation  Company (the  "PROCESS
AGENT"),  with an office on the date hereof at 1675 Broadway,  Denver,  Colorado
80202, as its agent to receive on behalf of Borrower proper service of copies of
the summons and  complaint and any other process which may be made by mailing or
delivering  a copy of such process to Borrower  (as  applicable)  in care of the
Process  Agent  at the  Process  Agent's  above  address,  and  Borrower  hereby
irrevocably  authorizes  and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on
their behalf.  As an alternative  method of service,  Borrower also  irrevocably
consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or  proceeding
by the mailing of copies of such process to Borrower at its address specified in
SECTION  14.1.  Borrower  agrees  that a final  judgment  on any such  action or
proceeding  shall be conclusive  and may be enforced in other  jurisdictions  by
suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

     (b) Nothing in this SECTION  14.12 shall affect any right of Banks to serve
legal  process in any other  manner  permitted by law or affect the right of any
Bank  to  bring  any  action  or  proceeding  against  Borrower  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries or their properties in the courts of any other jurisdictions.

     (c) To the extent that  Borrower has or hereafter  may acquire any immunity
from  jurisdiction  of any  court or from any  legal  process  (whether  through
service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution,
execution or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property,  Borrower hereby
irrevocably  waives  such  immunity  in  respect of its  obligations  under this
Agreement and the other Loan Papers.

     SECTION 14.13. COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement may be signed in
any number of  counterparts,  each of which shall be an original,  with the same
effect as if the  signatures  thereto and hereto were upon the same  instrument.
This  Agreement  shall become  effective  when  Administrative  Agent shall have
received counterparts hereof signed by all of the parties hereto or, in the case
of any Bank as to which an executed counterpart shall not have been received,

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Administrative   Agent  shall  have  received   telegraphic   or  other  written
confirmation from such Bank of execution of a counterpart hereof by such Bank.

     SECTION 14.14. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  It is expressly intended that
there  shall be no  third  party  beneficiaries  of the  covenants,  agreements,
representations  or warranties  herein  contained  other than  Participants  and
Assignees  permitted  pursuant to SECTION 14.10 and Affiliates of any Bank which
hold any part of the Obligations.

     SECTION 14.15. COMPLETE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS
COLLECTIVELY  REPRESENT  THE FINAL  AGREEMENT  BY AND AMONG  BANKS,  AGENTS  AND
BORROWER AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,  CONTEMPORANEOUS,  OR
SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF BANKS, AGENTS AND BORROWER. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN
ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN OR AMONG BANKS, AGENTS AND BORROWER.

     SECTION  14.16.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  BORROWER,  AGENTS AND BANKS  HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY  AND  UNCONDITIONALLY  WAIVE  TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY  LEGAL  ACTION OR
PROCEEDING  RELATING TO THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS AND FOR
ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

1/230128.7

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     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
duly executed by their respective  Authorized  Officers  effective as of the day
and year first above written.

BORROWER:

PATINA OIL & GAS CORPORATION,

a Delaware corporation

By:     /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
           David J. Kornder,
           Vice President

          1625 Broadway
          Denver, Colorado 80202
          Attn:  David J. Kornder

Telecopy No.:  (303) 592-8600

with a copy to:

Thomas J. Edelman
595 Madison Avenue
27th Floor

New York, New York 10022
Telecopy No.:  212-888-6877

BANKS:

TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By:     /S/ DALE S. HURD
            Dale S. Hurd, Senior Vice President

NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.

By:     /S/ J. SCOTT FOWLER
            J. Scott Fowler, Vice President

1/230128.7

                                       67

CIBC, Inc.

By:     /S/ ALEKSANDRA K. DYMANUS
            Aleksandra K. Dymanus, Authorized Signatory

CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

By:     /S/ PASCAL POUPELLE
            Pascal Poupelle, Senior Vice President

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

By:     /S/ GREGORY J. PETRUSKA
            Gregory J. Petruska, Vice President

BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.

By:     /S/ BRAD BARTEK
            Brad Bartek, Vice President

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By:     /S/ DALE S. HURD
           Dale S. Hurd, Senior Vice President

DOCUMENTARY AGENT:

NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.

By:     /S/ J. SCOTT FOWLER
            J. Scott Fowler, Vice President

1/230128.7

                                       68

CO-AGENTS:

CIBC, INC.

By:     /S/ ALEKSANDRA K. DYMANUS
            Aleksandra K. Dymanus, Authorized Signatory

CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

By:     /S/ PASCAL POUPELLE
            Pascal Poupelle, Senior Vice President

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

By:     /S/ GREGORY J. PETRUSKA
            Gregory J. Petruska, Vice President

1/230128.7

                                       69

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                      NOTE

$_______________        Houston, Texas                             April 1, 1997


        FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  Patina Oil & Gas  Corporation,  a
Delaware corporation ("MAKER"), promises to pay to the order of [NAME OF BANK OR
LENDING  OFFICE]  ("PAYEE"),  at the  offices of Texas  Commerce  Bank  National
Association,  as Administrative  Agent (herein so called),  at 1111 Fannin,  9th
Floor,  Houston,  Texas  77002,  for  Payee  and  the  other  Banks  hereinafter
described,   the   principal   sum  of  [AMOUNT  OF  SUCH   BANK'S   COMMITMENT]
($___________),  or so much thereof as may be advanced and outstanding, together
with interest, as hereinafter described.

        This Note has been executed and delivered pursuant to, and is subject to
and governed by, the terms of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
dated effective as of April 1, 1997 (as hereafter renewed, extended, amended, or
supplemented,   the  "AGREEMENT")  among  Maker,  Payee,  Administrative  Agent,
NationsBank of Texas,  N.A., as Documentary Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., CIBC,
Inc.  and Credit  Lyonnais New York Branch,  as  Co-Agents,  and the other Banks
named therein and is one of the "NOTES"  referred to therein.  Unless  otherwise
defined herein or unless the context hereof otherwise  requires,  each term used
herein with its initial letter capitalized has the meaning given to such term in
the Agreement.

        Maker also  promises  to pay  interest  on the unpaid  principal  amount
hereof in like money at the offices of  Administrative  Agent  above  referenced
from the date hereof at the rates  applicable to amounts  outstanding  under the
Loan provided in the Agreement.

        Accrued  interest  shall be due and  payable on the  expiration  of each
Interest Period with respect to any part of the principal  outstanding hereunder
which is subject to a Eurodollar  Tranche with an Interest Period then expiring.
The principal balance of this Note shall be paid at the times and in the amounts
required by the Agreement.  The entire outstanding  principal balance hereof and
all accrued but unpaid interest  thereon shall be due and payable in full on the
Termination Date.

        Upon and subject to the terms and  conditions  of the  Agreement,  Maker
shall be entitled to prepay the  principal of or interest on this Note from time
to time and at any time, in whole or in part.

        Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, and upon the
conditions stated in the Agreement, Administrative Agent may, at its option, and
shall,  to the extent  required in accordance  with the terms of the  Agreement,
declare  the  entire  unpaid  principal  of and  accrued  interest  on this Note
immediately  due and payable  (provided  that,  upon the  occurrence  of certain
Events  of  Default,  and upon the  conditions  stated  in the  Agreement,  such
acceleration  shall be automatic),  without notice (except as otherwise required
by the Agreement), demand, or

1/230128.7

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presentment,  all of which are hereby  waived,  and the holder hereof shall have
the right to offset  against this Note any sum or sums owed by the holder hereof
to Maker. All past-due principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, accrued
interest on this Note shall,  at the option of the holder hereof,  bear interest
at the lesser of (a) the Maximum  Lawful Rate or (b) the Adjusted Base Rate plus
2% until paid.

        Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if at any time,  any rate of  interest
calculated  under SECTION 2.5 of the Agreement (the "CONTRACT RATE") exceeds the
Maximum  Lawful  Rate,  the rate of interest  hereunder  shall be limited to the
Maximum Lawful Rate,  but any  subsequent  reductions in the Contract Rate shall
not reduce the rate of interest on this Note below the Maximum Lawful Rate until
the total amount of interest  accrued  equals the amount of interest which would
have accrued (including the amount of interest which would have accrued prior to
the payment or  prepayment of any portion of this Note) if the Contract Rate had
at all  times  been in  effect.  In the event  that at  maturity  (stated  or by
acceleration),  or at final  payment of this Note,  the total amount of interest
paid or  accrued on this Note is less than the amount of  interest  which  would
have accrued if the  Contract  Rate had at all times been in effect with respect
thereto,  then at such  time the Maker  shall pay to the  holder of this Note an
amount equal to the difference  between (a) the lesser of the amount of interest
which would have  accrued if the  Contract  Rate had at all times been in effect
and the amount of interest  which would have accrued if the Maximum  Lawful Rate
had at all times been in effect, and (b) the amount of interest actually paid or
accrued on this Note.

                          PATINA OIL & GAS CORPORATION,

                                            a Delaware corporation

                                            By:    /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
                                                       David J. Kornder,
                                            Its:   Vice President

1/230128.7

                                       71




                                           LOANS, MATURITIES, AND
                                      PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST

                   Payee's
                  Commitment   Expiration of Rate of Interest                                  Unpaid
   Borrowing    Percentage of    Interest     Applicable to      Amount of     Amount of      Principal    Notation Made
     Date         Borrowing       Period         Tranche     Principal Paid  Interest Paid     Balance           By
=============== ============== ============= ================  ============= =============  ============= ================
                                                                                      



















=============== ============== ============= ================  ============= =============  ============= ================






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                                       72

                                    EXHIBIT B

                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT

        THIS PLEDGE  AGREEMENT (this "Pledge  Agreement") is dated as of the 1st
day of April,  1997,  by and between  PATINA OIL & GAS  CORPORATION,  a Delaware
corporation  ("PLEDGOR"),  and  TEXAS  COMMERCE  BANK  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  a
national banking association,  as Administrative Agent for the Banks (as defined
herein)   (Texas   Commerce  Bank  National   Association  in  its  capacity  as
Administrative Agent for the Banks is hereinafter referred to as "PLEDGEE").

                                     W I T N E S S E T H:

        WHEREAS,  Pledgor,  Pledgee,  NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Documentary
Agent,  Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,  CIBC, Inc., and Credit Lyonnais,  as Co-Agents,
Texas Commerce Bank National  Association,  individually,  NationsBank of Texas,
N.A.,  individually,   Wells  Fargo  Bank,  N.A.,   individually,   CIBC,  Inc.,
individually,  Credit  Lyonnais  New York  Branch,  individually,  and Bank One,
Texas,   N.A.,   individually   (Texas   Commerce  Bank  National   Association,
individually,  NationsBank of Texas, N.A., individually, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
individually,  CIBC,  Inc.,  individually,  Credit  Lyonnais  New  York  Branch,
individually,  and Bank One, Texas, N.A.,  individually are herein  collectively
referred to as "BANKS") are parties to that certain  Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") dated effective as of April 1, 1997, pursuant
to which Banks have agreed to (i) make a revolving  credit loan to Pledgor,  and
(ii) issue and  participate  in Letters of Credit for the account of Pledgor and
its Restricted  Subsidiaries  (unless otherwise  defined herein,  all terms used
herein with their initial letter  capitalized  shall have the meaning given such
terms in the Credit Agreement); and

        WHEREAS,  it is a condition  to the  agreement of Banks to make the Loan
and issue and  participate  in Letters  of Credit and Letter of Credit  Exposure
under the  Credit  Agreement  that  Pledgor  execute  and  deliver  this  Pledge
Agreement in favor of Pledgee.

        NOW, THEREFORE,  for valuable consideration,  receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged and confessed, Pledgor agrees with Pledgee as follows:

     1. PLEDGE. Upon the terms hereof, Pledgor hereby grants to Pledgee, for the
ratable  benefit of each Bank and any holder  from time to time of the Notes,  a
security  interest in and to the rights,  titles and interests of Pledgor in and
to all of the following  rights,  interests and property:  (a) all of the issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock and other investment  property issued by
SOCO Wattenberg  Corporation,  a Delaware corporation,  and any other Restricted
Subsidiary  of Pledgor,  now owned or  hereafter  acquired,  (collectively,  the
"RESTRICTED   SUBSIDIARIES"  and  individually,   a  "RESTRICTED   SUBSIDIARY"),
including, without limitation, the shares of the Restricted

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Subsidiaries owned by Pledgor on the date hereof (the "PLEDGED SHARES"); and (b)
any and all  proceeds  or other  sums  arising  from or by  virtue  of,  and all
dividends and  distributions  (cash or otherwise)  payable and/or  distributable
with  respect  to,  all or any of the  Pledged  Shares  described  in clause (a)
preceding (the rights,  interests and property  described in clauses (a) and (b)
preceding are collectively referred to herein as the "COLLATERAL").

     2. SECURED OBLIGATION.  The security interest herein granted (the "SECURITY
INTEREST") shall secure payment and performance of the Obligations.

     3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;  RELATED COVENANTS.  Pledgor represents,
warrants, covenants and agrees to and with Administrative Agent, for the benefit
of each Bank, that: (a) Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Pledged
Shares issued by the  Restricted  Subsidiaries;  (b) the Pledged Shares are duly
authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and all documentary, stamp
or other taxes or fees owing in connection  with the issuance,  transfer  and/or
pledge  thereof  hereunder  have been  paid;  (c) no  dispute,  right of setoff,
counterclaim  or  defense  exists  with  respect  to  all  or  any  part  of the
Collateral;  (d) the  Collateral  is  free  and  clear  of all  Liens,  options,
warrants, puts, calls or other rights of third persons, and restrictions,  other
than (i) those Liens  arising  under this Pledge  Agreement  or any other of the
Loan Papers and Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable,  and (ii)  restrictions
on transferability  imposed by applicable state and federal securities laws; (e)
Pledgor  has full right and  authority  to pledge the  Pledged  Shares and other
Collateral for the purposes and upon the terms set out herein;  (f) certificates
representing the Pledged Shares have been delivered to Pledgee,  together with a
duly  executed  blank  stock  power  with   signatures   guaranteed,   for  each
certificate; (g) the Pledged Shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding
capital  stock  of the  Restricted  Subsidiaries  of  every  class;  and (h) the
Restricted  Subsidiaries  have not issued,  and there are not  outstanding,  any
options,  warrants or other rights to acquire  capital  stock of the  Restricted
Subsidiaries.

     4.  COVENANTS.  (a)  Pledgor  covenants  and agrees to,  from time to time,
promptly   execute  and   deliver  to  Pledgee   all  such  other   assignments,
certificates,   supplemental   writings  and  financing  statements  as  Pledgee
reasonably  requests  in order to perfect or  evidence  the  Security  Interest.
Pledgor  further agrees that if Pledgor shall at any time acquire any additional
shares  of  the  capital  stock  or  other  investment  property  issued  by any
Restricted  Subsidiary,  and  whether  such  acquisition  shall be by  purchase,
exchange, reclassification, dividend, or otherwise, Pledgor shall forthwith (and
without  the  necessity  for any  request  or demand  by  Pledgee)  deliver  the
certificates  representing such capital stock or investment property to Pledgee,
in the same manner and with the same effect as described  in  paragraphs 1 and 3
hereof.  Such capital stock or investment  property  shall  constitute  "PLEDGED
SHARES" and "COLLATERAL"  and shall be subject to the Liens herein created,  for
the  purposes  and  upon the  terms  and  conditions  set  forth in this  Pledge
Agreement and the other Loan Papers.  Pledgor further covenants and agrees that,
without the prior written  consent of all Banks,  Pledgor shall not (i) transfer
any of Pledgor's  rights,  titles or interests in and to the  Collateral  or any
part  thereof;  or (ii) create any other Lien or  otherwise  encumber any of the
Collateral,  or permit any of the Collateral to ever be or become subject to any
Lien, attachment, execution,  sequestration, other legal or equitable process or
any Lien or encumbrance of any kind, except the Security Interest.

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     (b) Pledgor will promptly  execute and deliver,  or cause the execution and
delivery  of,  all   applications,   certificates,   instruments,   registration
statements, and all other documents and papers Pledgee may reasonably request in
connection   with  the  obtaining  of  any  consent,   approval,   registration,
qualification, or authorization of any other Person necessary or appropriate for
the  effective  exercise  of any rights  under this  Pledge  Agreement.  Without
limiting  the  generality  of the  foregoing,  Pledgor  agrees that in the event
Pledgee shall exercise any rights to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, or
vote, consent, or take any other action in connection with any of the Collateral
pursuant  to this  Pledge  Agreement,  Pledgor  shall  execute  and  deliver all
applications,  certificates,  and other  documents  as  Pledgee  may  reasonably
request  and shall  otherwise  promptly,  fully and  diligently  cooperate  with
Pledgee and any other necessary Persons, in making any application for the prior
consent or approval of any other Person to the exercise by Pledgee of any rights
relating to all or any of the  Collateral.  Furthermore,  because Pledgor agrees
that  Pledgee's  remedies  at law for  failure  of  Pledgor  to comply  with the
provisions  of this  paragraph  4(b) would be  inadequate  and that such failure
would  not be  adequately  compensable  in  damages,  Pledgor  agrees  that  the
covenants of this paragraph 4(b) may be specifically enforced.

     (c) Pledgor will preserve,  warrant, and defend the Liens created hereby in
the Collateral against the claims of all Persons  whomsoever;  will maintain and
preserve such Liens at all times as contemplated by the Loan Papers; will not at
any time assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of its right, title and interest
in and to any of the  Collateral;  will not at any time  directly or  indirectly
create,  assume,  or suffer to exist any Lien,  warrant,  put, option,  or other
rights of third Persons and  restrictions,  other than the Liens created by this
Pledge  Agreement in and to the Collateral or any part thereof;  and will not do
or suffer any matter or thing whereby the Liens created by this Pledge Agreement
in and to the Collateral might or could be impaired.

     5. CONVERSIONS; ETC. Should the Collateral, or any part thereof, ever be in
any manner  converted by any Restricted  Subsidiary into another property of the
same or another type or any money or other proceeds ever be paid or delivered to
Pledgor as a result of Pledgor's  rights in the  Collateral,  then,  in any such
event (except as otherwise provided herein), all such property,  money and other
proceeds shall be and/or become part of the  Collateral,  and Pledgor  covenants
forthwith to pay or deliver to Pledgee (as pledgeholder for the pro rata benefit
of each  Bank as  provided  above)  all of the  same  which  is  susceptible  of
delivery;  and at the same time, if any Bank deems it necessary and so requests,
Pledgor will properly endorse or assign the same to Pledgee (as pledgeholder for
the pro rata  benefit of each Bank as  provided  above).  Without  limiting  the
generality of the  foregoing,  Pledgor  hereby agrees that the shares of capital
stock or other investment property of the surviving corporation in any merger or
consolidation  involving any Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to constitute
the same property as the Collateral. With respect to any such property of a kind
requiring an additional security agreement, financing statement or other writing
to perfect a security  interest therein in favor of Pledgee (as pledgeholder for
the pro rata benefit of each Bank as provided  above),  Pledgor  will  forthwith
execute and deliver to Pledgee  whatever any Bank shall deem necessary or proper
for such purpose.

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                                       75

     6. NO DUTY TO FIX OR PRESERVE  RIGHTS.  Neither  Pledgee nor any Bank shall
have any duty to fix or preserve  rights against prior parties to the Collateral
or shall  ever be liable  for  failure to use  diligence  to collect  any amount
payable with respect to the Pledged  Shares,  or any part thereof,  but shall be
liable  only to account to Pledgor  for what such Bank may  actually  collect or
receive thereon.

     7. RIGHTS OF PARTIES BEFORE AND AFTER THE OCCURRENCE OF A DEFAULT.

     (a) EXERCISING  SHAREHOLDER  RIGHTS PRIOR TO A DEFAULT.  Unless and until a
Default shall occur,

     (i)  Pledgor  shall be entitled to receive all cash  dividends  paid out of
          net income on a current basis to Pledgor in respect of or attributable
          to  the  Pledged  Shares  or  other  Collateral.  Notwithstanding  the
          foregoing,  Pledgee  shall be entitled  to  receive,  whether or not a
          Default has occurred, (A) any and all other Distributions,  including,
          but not limited to,  stock  dividends,  liquidating  Distributions  or
          other Distributions in property made on or with respect to the Pledged
          Shares or any other Collateral and any proceeds of Collateral, whether
          resulting from subdivision,  combination,  or  reclassification of the
          outstanding  capital stock or other investment  property issued by any
          Restricted  Subsidiary  or as a result of any  merger,  consolidation,
          acquisition,  or other exchange of assets (whether or not permitted by
          any Loan Paper), or to which any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, and
          (B) all sums paid on any Collateral upon liquidation or dissolution or
          reduction of capital, repurchase,  retirement, or redemption. All such
          sums, dividends, distributions,  proceeds, or other property described
          in clauses  (A) and (B)  preceding  shall,  if  received by any Person
          other than  Pledgee,  be held in trust for the  benefit of Pledgee and
          shall  forthwith  be  delivered  to  Pledgee  (accompanied  by  proper
          instruments of assignment  and/or stock and/or bond powers executed by
          Pledgor in accordance with Pledgee's  instructions) to be held subject
          to the  terms  of this  Pledge  Agreement.  Any cash  proceeds  of the
          Collateral,  other than cash dividends which Pledgor is then permitted
          to  receive  and  retain  under the Loan  Papers,  which come into the
          possession of Pledgee may, at Pledgee's option, be applied in whole or
          in part to the  Obligations  (to the extent then due),  be released in
          whole or in part to or on the written  instructions of Pledgor for any
          general or specific purpose otherwise permitted by the Loan Papers, or
          be retained in whole or in part by Pledgee as additional  security for
          the payment and performance of the Obligations. All interest and other
          amounts  earned from any investment of such proceeds may be dealt with
          by Pledgee in the same manner as other cash proceeds; and

     (ii) Pledgor shall have the right to vote and give consents with respect to
          all of the Collateral  and to consent to,  ratify,  or waive notice of
          any and all  meetings;  PROVIDED  THAT such right  shall in no case be
          exercised for any

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                                       76

          purpose  contrary  to,  or in  violation  of,  any of the terms or the
          provisions of this Pledge Agreement, the Credit Agreement, or any
          other Loan Paper.

     (b) EXERCISING  SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AFTER THE OCCURRENCE OF A DEFAULT.  Upon
the occurrence of a Default, Pledgee, without the consent of Pledgor, may:

          (i)  At any time vote or  consent  in  respect  of any of the  Pledged
               Shares and authorize any Collateral to be voted and such consents
               to be given, ratify and waive notice of any and all meetings, and
               take such other action as shall seem desirable to Pledgee, in its
               discretion,  to  protect or further  the  interests  of Banks and
               Pledgee in respect of any of the Pledged Shares as though it were
               the  outright  owner  thereof,  and  Pledgor  hereby  irrevocably
               constitutes   and   appoints   Pledgee   its   sole   proxy   and
               attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution to vote and act
               with respect to any and all Pledged  Shares  standing in the name
               of Pledgor or with  respect to which  Pledgor is entitled to vote
               and act.  The proxy  and power of  attorney  herein  granted  are
               coupled  with  interests,  are  irrevocable,  and shall  continue
               throughout the term of this Pledge Agreement;

          (ii) In respect of any Pledged  Shares,  join in and become a party to
               any plan of  recapitalization,  reorganization,  or  readjustment
               (whether  voluntary or  involuntary)  as shall seem  desirable to
               Pledgee in respect of any such  Pledged  Shares,  and deposit any
               such  Pledged  Shares  under any such  plan;  make any  exchange,
               substitution,  cancellation,  or surrender of such Pledged Shares
               required by any such plan and take such  action  with  respect to
               any such  Pledged  Shares as may be  required by any such plan or
               for  the  accomplishment   thereof;   and  no  such  disposition,
               exchange,  substitution,  cancellation,  or  surrender  shall  be
               deemed to constitute a release of Pledged Shares from the Lien of
               this Pledge Agreement;

          (iii)Receive all  payments of whatever  kind made upon or with respect
               to any 

               Collateral; and

          (vi) Transfer  into its name, or into the name or names of its nominee
               or nominees, all or any of the Collateral.

     (c) RIGHT OF SALE AFTER THE OCCURRENCE OF A DEFAULT. Upon the occurrence of
a Default, Pledgee may sell, without recourse to judicial proceedings,  with the
right  (except  at  private  sale) to bid for and buy,  free  from any  right of
redemption,  the Pledged Shares or any part thereof,  upon five (5) days' notice
(which  notice is agreed to be  reasonable  notice for the  purposes  hereof) to
Pledgor  of the time and place of sale,  for  cash,  upon  credit or for  future
delivery, at Pledgee's option and in Pledgee's complete discretion:

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                                       77

          (i)  At  public  sale,  including  a sale  at any  broker's  board  or
               exchange;

          (ii) At private  sale in any manner which will not require the Pledged
               Shares, or any part thereof,  to be registered in accordance with
               The Securities  Act of 1933 (as amended,  the "ACT") or the rules
               and regulations  promulgated --- thereunder,  or any other law or
               regulation, at the best price reasonably obtainable by Pledgee at
               any  such  private  sale  or  other  disposition  in  the  manner
               mentioned  above.  Pledgee  is also  hereby  authorized,  but not
               obligated,  to take such actions, give such notices,  obtain such
               consents,  and do such other things as Pledgee may deem  required
               or  appropriate in the event of sale or disposition of any of the
               Pledged  Shares.  Pledgor  understands  that  Pledgee  may in its
               discretion  approach a restricted number of potential  purchasers
               and that a sale under such  circumstances may yield a lower price
               for the  Pledged  Shares,  or any  portion  thereof,  than  would
               otherwise be obtainable if the same were  registered  and sold in
               the open  market.  Pledgor  agrees (a) that in the event  Pledgee
               shall so sell the Pledged Shares, or any portion thereof, at such
               private sale or sales,  Pledgee shall have the right to rely upon
               the  advice  and  opinion  of  any  member  firm  of  a  national
               securities  exchange as to the best price  reasonably  obtainable
               upon such a private sale thereof (any expense borne by Pledgee in
               obtaining such advice to be paid by Pledgor as an expense related
               to the exercise by Pledgee of its rights hereunder), and (B) that
               such reliance shall be conclusive  evidence that Pledgee  handled
               such matter in a commercially reasonable manner.

     In case of any sale by the Pledgee of the  Pledged  Shares on credit or for
future  delivery,  the Pledged  Shares sold may be retained by Pledgee until the
selling price is paid by the purchaser,  but Pledgee shall incur no liability in
case of failure of the  purchaser  to take up and pay for the Pledged  Shares so
sold.  In case of any such  failure,  such  Pledged  Shares so sold may be again
similarly sold.

     In connection with the sale of the Pledged  Shares,  Pledgee is authorized,
but  not  obligated,  to  limit  prospective  purchasers  to the  extent  deemed
necessary  or  desirable  by  Pledgee  to  render  such  sale  exempt  from  the
registration  requirements of the Act, and any applicable state securities laws,
and no sale so  made  in  good  faith  by  Pledgee  shall  be  deemed  not to be
"commercially reasonable" because so made. If Pledgee determines to exercise its
right to sell all or any of the Pledged Shares, and if in the opinion of Gardere
& Wynne,  L.L.P.  or such other  reputable  law firm  selected by Pledgee  ("LAW
FIRM"),  it is necessary or advisable to have such securities  registered  under
the provisions of such Act, or any similar law relating to the  registration  of
securities,  Pledgor agrees, at its own expense,  to (i) execute and deliver all
such  instruments  and documents,  and to do or cause to be done other such acts
and things as may be  necessary  or, in the  opinion of Law Firm,  advisable  to
register such  securities  under the  provisions  of such Act or any  applicable
similar law relating to the registration of securities, and Pledgor will use its
best  efforts to cause the  registration  statement  relating  thereto to become
effective and to remain effective for such period as Pledgee shall

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reasonably  request,  and to make all  amendments  thereof and/or to the related
prospectus which, in the opinion of Law Firm, are necessary or desirable, all in
conformity  with the  requirements  of such Act and the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange  Commission  applicable  thereto;  (ii) use its best
efforts to qualify such securities under state "blue sky" or securities laws and
to obtain the necessary approval of any Tribunal (as hereinafter defined) to the
sale of such securities,  all as reasonably  requested by Pledgee;  and (iii) at
the request of Pledgee, indemnify and hold harmless, and to cause the Restricted
Subsidiaries  to agree to indemnify and hold harmless,  Pledgee,  each Bank, any
underwriters  (and any  Person  controlling  any of the  foregoing),  and  their
respective   employees,    officers,    agents,   attorneys,   and   accountants
(collectively,  the "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") from and against any loss, liability,
claim,  damage and expense  (including  without  limitation,  reasonable fees of
counsel incurred in connection  therewith) under such Act or otherwise,  insofar
as such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon
any untrue  statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained
in any registration  statement under which such securities were registered under
such  Act  or  other  securities  laws,  any  preliminary  prospectus  or  final
prospectus  contained therein,  or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise
out of or are based upon any omission or any alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements  therein
not  misleading,  such  indemnification  to remain  operative  regardless of any
investigation  made by or on  behalf of any  Indemnified  Party;  provided  that
Pledgor  shall  not be  liable  in any case to the  extent  that any such  loss,
liability,  claim,  damage, or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or an omission or an alleged omission made
in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to Pledgor
and/or the  Restricted  Subsidiaries  by an Indemnified  Party.  As used in this
Paragraph 9(c) and in Paragraph  15(a),  the term "TRIBUNAL"  means any court or
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality of
the United State or of a state,  commonwealth,  nation,  territory,  possession,
county,  parish,  or  municipality,  whether now or  hereinafter  constituted or
existing.

     (d)  OTHER  RIGHTS  AFTER A  DEFAULT.  Upon the  occurrence  of a  Default,
Pledgee,  at its election (but subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit
Agreement)  may exercise any and all rights  available to a secured  party under
the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in the State of Texas or other applicable
jurisdiction,  as amended,  in addition to any and all other rights  afforded by
the Loan Papers, at law, in equity, or otherwise.

     (e)  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.  Pledgee shall apply the proceeds of any sale
or other  disposition of the Pledged Shares in the manner provided in the Credit
Agreement.

     8. NOTICES. Whenever this Pledge Agreement requires or permits any consent,
approval,  notice,  request,  or demand from one party to another,  the consent,
approval,  notice,  request,  or demand must be given in the manner  provided in
Section 14.1 of the Credit Agreement.

     9. RIGHT TO FILE AS FINANCING STATEMENT. Pledgee or any Bank shall have the
right at any time to  execute  and file this  Pledge  Agreement  as a  financing
statement,  but the failure of Pledgee or any Bank to do so shall not impair the
validity or enforceability of this Pledge Agreement.

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     10. WAIVER OF CERTAIN  RIGHTS.  (a) To the full extent that it may lawfully
so agree,  Pledgor agrees that it will not at any time plead,  claim or take the
benefit  of  any  appraisement,   valuation,  stay,  extension,   moratorium  or
redemption  law now or  hereafter  in force in order  to  prevent  or delay  the
enforcement of this Pledge Agreement, or the absolute sale of all or any part of
the  Pledges  Shares or the  possession  thereof  by any  purchaser  at any sale
hereunder,  and Pledgor hereby waives the benefit of all such laws to the extent
it lawfully  may. Each right,  power and remedy of Pledgee  provided for in this
Pledge Agreement or now or hereafter  existing at law or in equity or by statute
or otherwise  shall be  cumulative  and  concurrent  and shall be in addition to
every other right,  power or remedy provided for in this Pledge Agreement or now
or hereafter  existing at law or in equity or by statute or  otherwise,  and the
exercise  or  beginning  of the  exercise  by Pledgee of any one or more of such
rights,  power or remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise
by Pledgee of any or all such other  rights,  powers or remedies.  No failure or
delay on the part of Pledgee to exercise any such right,  power or remedy and no
notice or demand  which may be given to or made upon  Pledgor  by  Pledgee  with
respect to any such  remedies  shall  operate as a waiver  thereof,  or limit or
impair  Pledgee's  right to take any action or to  exercise  any power or remedy
hereunder,  without notice or demand, or prejudice its rights as against Pledgor
in any respect.

     (b) Except to the extent  required under the Credit  Agreement or any other
Loan Paper, Pledgor hereby waives diligence,  presentment,  demand,  protest and
notice of any kind whatsoever in respect of the Notes as well as any requirement
that the Pledgee or any holder of any of the Notes  exhausts any right or remedy
or takes any  action in  connection  with the  Notes or the Loan  Papers  before
exercising any right or remedy under this Pledge  Agreement.  The obligations of
Pledgor  hereunder  shall not be affected or impaired by reason of the happening
from time to time of any of the  following,  although  without  notice to or the
consent of Pledgor:

          (i)  the waiver by  Pledgee or any of the  holders of the Notes of the
               performance or observance by Pledgor or any other Borrower of any
               of its agreements,  covenants,  terms or conditions  contained in
               the Loan Papers or in any Note;

          (ii) the voluntary or involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution,  sale of
               all or substantially all of the assets,  marshaling of assets and
               liabilities,    receivership,    conservatorship,     insolvency,
               bankruptcy,    assignment   for   the   benefit   of   creditors,
               reorganization,   arrangement,   winding  up,  or  other  similar
               proceedings affecting Pledgor, the Restricted Subsidiaries or any
               Borrower;

          (iii)the release by operation of law of Pledgor or any other  Borrower
               from the  performance  or  observance  of any of the  agreements,
               covenants,  terms  or  conditions  contained  in any of the  Loan
               Papers; or

          (iv) the release of any  security  for the Notes,  whether  under this
               Pledge Agreement or any of the Loan Papers.

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     11. AMENDMENTS.  This Pledge Agreement may be amended only by an instrument
in writing  executed  jointly by Pledgor and Pledgee (subject to the approval of
the requisite Banks as provided in the Credit  Agreement) and supplemented  only
by documents  delivered or to be delivered in accordance  with the express terms
hereof.

     12.  MULTIPLE  COUNTERPARTS.  This  Pledge  Agreement  may be executed in a
number of identical counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original for
all purposes and all of which shall  constitute,  collectively,  one  agreement;
but, in making  proof of this Pledge  Agreement,  it shall not be  necessary  to
produce or account for more than one such counterpart.

     13. PARTIES BOUND;  ASSIGNMENT.  This Pledge  Agreement shall be binding on
Pledgor and Pledgor's  successors  and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of
Pledgee and Pledgee's successor and assigns.

     14. INVALID  PROVISIONS.  If any provision of this Pledge Agreement is held
to be illegal,  invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective
during the term hereof,  such provision  shall be fully  severable,  this Pledge
Agreement  shall be  construed  and  enforced as if such  illegal,  invalid,  or
unenforceable  provision  had never  comprised a part hereof,  and the remaining
provisions  hereof  shall  remain  in full  force  and  effect  and shall not be
affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance
herefrom.  Furthermore,  in lieu  of such  illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable
provision there shall be added  automatically as a part of this Pledge Agreement
a  provision  as similar in terms to such  illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable
provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

     15.  COMPLETE  AGREEMENT.  THIS PLEDGE  AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS
COLLECTIVELY  REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG PLEDGEE AND PLEDGOR AND
MAY NOT BE  CONTRADICTED  BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,  CONTEMPORANEOUS,  OR SUBSEQUENT
ORAL  AGREEMENTS OF PLEDGOR AND PLEDGEE.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS
BETWEEN PLEDGOR AND PLEDGEE.

     16. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  PLEDGOR, FOR ITSELF, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS,
AND THE PLEDGEE HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVE,  TO THE FULLEST EXTENT  PERMITTED BY
LAW,  THEIR  RIGHT  TO A JURY  TRIAL  IN  ANY  LITIGATION  ARISING  OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION  WITH THIS PLEDGE  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS AND FOR
ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

     17. TEXAS LAW.  THIS PLEDGE  AGREEMENT  AND THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS HAVE BEEN
EXECUTED  AND  DELIVERED  IN THE  STATE  OF TEXAS  AND  SHALL  BE  CONSTRUED  IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH AND  GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE LAWS OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF ANY STATE IN
WHICH  ANY  PROPERTY  INTENDED  AS  SECURITY  FOR  THE  OBLIGATIONS  IS  LOCATED
NECESSARILY GOVERN (A) THE

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PERFECTION  AND  PRIORITY OF THE LIENS IN FAVOR OF PLEDGEE  WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
PROPERTY,  AND (B) THE EXERCISE OF ANY  REMEDIES  (INCLUDING  FORECLOSURE)  WITH
RESPECT TO SUCH PROPERTY.

        EXECUTED as of April 1, 1997.

                                    PLEDGOR:

                                    PATINA OIL & GAS CORPORATION,

                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    By:     /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
                                               David J. Kornder,
                                               Vice President

ACCEPTED AND AGREED as of the
1st day of April, 1997,

TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent for the Banks

By:     /S/ DALE S. HURD
            Dale S. Hurd,
            Senior Vice President

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                                    EXHIBIT C

                                    GUARANTY

        THIS  GUARANTY  (this  "GUARANTY")  is dated as of the 1st day of April,
1997, by SOCO Wattenberg Corporation, a Delaware corporation  ("GUARANTOR"),  in
favor of TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.,
CIBC,  INC.,  CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,  WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., and BANK
ONE, TEXAS, N.A. and each of their successors and assigns as permitted  pursuant
to  Section  14.10  of  the  Credit  Agreement  (Texas  Commerce  Bank  National
Association  [acting as Bank but not as  Administrative  Agent],  NationsBank of
Texas, N.A. [acting as a Bank but not as Documentary Agent],  CIBC, Inc., Credit
Lyonnais New York Branch and Wells Fargo Bank,  N.A.  [each acting as a Bank but
not as Co-Agents] and Bank One, Texas,  N.A. acting as a Bank, and each of their
successors and assigns are collectively referred to herein as "Noteholders").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

        WHEREAS,   Patina  Oil  &  Gas  Corporation,   a  Delaware   corporation
("BORROWER"),   Noteholders,   Texas  Commerce  Bank  National  Association,  as
Administrative Agent  ("ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT"),  NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as
Documentary Agent and CIBC, Inc., Credit Lyonnais and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Co-Agents are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the
"CREDIT  AGREEMENT")  dated  effective  as of April 1, 1997,  pursuant  to which
Noteholders have agreed to (i) make a revolving credit loan to Patina,  and (ii)
issue and  participate  in Letters of Credit  issued on behalf of  Borrower  and
certain of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  (unless otherwise  defined herein,  all
terms used herein with their initial letter  capitalized  shall have the meaning
given such terms in the Credit Agreement); and

        WHEREAS,  Noteholders  have required,  as a condition to making the Loan
under the Credit  Agreement,  that Guarantor  execute and deliver this Guaranty;
and

        WHEREAS, Guarantor has determined that valuable benefits will be derived
by it as a  result  of the  Credit  Agreement  and the  Loan to be made by Banks
thereunder; and

        WHEREAS,  Guarantor has further determined that the benefits accruing to
it from the Credit Agreement exceed Guarantor's anticipated liability under this
Guaranty.

        NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby  acknowledged and confessed,  Guarantor hereby covenants and
agrees as follows:

        1.  Guarantor  hereby  absolutely  and  unconditionally  guarantees  the
prompt, complete and full payment when due, no matter how such shall become due,
of the  Obligations,  and further  guarantees  that  Borrower  will properly and
timely perform the Obligations.  Notwithstanding  any contrary provision in this
Guaranty, however, Guarantor's maximum liability under this Guaranty

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is limited, to the extent, if any, required so that its liability is not subject
to avoidance  under  applicable  Debtor  Relief Laws (as such term is defined in
Paragraph 8 hereof).

        2. If  Guarantor  is or  becomes  liable for any  indebtedness  owing by
Borrower to  Noteholders  by  endorsement or otherwise than under this Guaranty,
such liability shall not be in any manner impaired or affected  hereby,  and the
rights of Noteholders  hereunder shall be cumulative of any and all other rights
that Noteholders may ever have against Guarantor. The exercise by Noteholders of
any  right or remedy  hereunder  or under  any  other  instrument,  at law or in
equity,  shall not preclude the  concurrent or subsequent  exercise of any other
right or remedy.

        3. In the event of default by Borrower in payment of the Obligations, or
any part thereof,  when such Obligations become due, either by their terms or as
the result of the  exercise  of any power to  accelerate,  Guarantor  shall,  on
demand,  and without  further  notice of dishonor and without any notice  having
been given to Guarantor previous to such demand of the acceptance by Noteholders
of this  Guaranty,  and without any notice  having been given to such  Guarantor
previous to such demand of the creating or incurring  of such  Obligations,  pay
the amount due thereon to  Noteholders at the  Administrative  Agent's office as
set  forth in the  Credit  Agreement,  and it  shall  not be  necessary  for any
Noteholder,  in order to enforce such payment by Guarantor,  first, to institute
suit  or  exhaust  its  remedies  against  Borrower  or  others  liable  on such
Obligations,  to have Borrower  joined with  Guarantor in any suit brought under
this Guaranty or to enforce their rights  against any security  which shall ever
have been given to secure  such  indebtedness;  provided,  however,  that in the
event Noteholders elect to enforce and/or exercise any remedies they may possess
with respect to any security for the Obligations prior to demanding payment from
Guarantor,  Guarantor shall nevertheless be obligated  hereunder for any and all
sums still owing to Noteholders on the  Obligations  and not repaid or recovered
incident to the exercise of such remedies.

        4. Notice to Guarantor  of the  acceptance  of this  Guaranty and of the
making,  renewing or assignment of the  Obligations  and each item thereof,  are
hereby expressly waived by Guarantor.

        5. Each payment on the Obligations  shall be deemed to have been made by
Borrower unless express written notice is given to  Administrative  Agent at the
time of such payment that such payment is made by Guarantor as specified in such
notice.

        6. If all or any  part  of the  Obligations  at any  time  are  secured,
Guarantor  agrees  that  Noteholders  may at any time and from time to time,  at
their discretion and with or without valuable consideration,  allow substitution
or withdrawal of  collateral or other  security and release  collateral or other
security  or  compromise  or settle  any  amount  due or owing  under the Credit
Agreement  or amend or modify in whole or in part the  Credit  Agreement  or any
Loan Papers  executed in connection  with same without  impairing or diminishing
the  obligations  of  Guarantor  hereunder.  Guarantor  further  agrees  that if
Borrower executes in favor of Noteholders any collateral agreement,  mortgage or
other  security  instrument,  the exercise by Noteholders of any right or remedy
thereby conferred on Noteholders shall be wholly discretionary with Noteholders,
and that the  exercise or failure to exercise  any such right or remedy shall in
no way impair or diminish  the  obligation  of  Guarantor  hereunder.  Guarantor
further agrees that Noteholders and Administrative Agent shall not be liable for
their  failure to use  diligence  in the  collection  of the  Obligations  or in
preserving the

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liability of any person liable for the Obligations,  and Guarantor hereby waives
presentment  for  payment,  notice of  nonpayment,  protest  and notice  thereof
(including, notice of acceleration), and diligence in bringing suits against any
Person liable on the Obligations, or any part thereof.

        7. Guarantor agrees that Noteholders, in their discretion, may (i) bring
suit against all guarantors (including, without limitation, Guarantor hereunder)
of the  Obligations  jointly and  severally  or against any one or more of them,
(ii)  compound  or  settle  with  any one or more of such  guarantors  for  such
consideration as the Noteholders may deem proper,  and (iii) release one or more
of such  guarantors  from  liability  hereunder,  and that no such action  shall
impair  the rights of  Noteholders  to collect  the  Obligations  (or the unpaid
balance thereof) from other such guarantors of the Obligations,  or any of them,
not so sued, settled with or released.  Guarantor agrees,  however, that nothing
contained in this paragraph,  and no action by Noteholders  permitted under this
paragraph,  shall in any way affect or impair the rights or  obligations of such
guarantors among themselves.

        8. Guarantor  represents and warrants to Noteholders  that (i) Guarantor
is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State
of Delaware;  and (ii) Guarantor  possesses all requisite authority and power to
authorize,  execute,  deliver and comply with the terms of this  Guaranty;  this
Guaranty has been duly  authorized  and approved by all necessary  action on the
part of Guarantor and  constitutes  a valid and binding  obligation of Guarantor
enforceable in accordance with its terms,  except as the enforcement thereof may
be limited by applicable  Debtor Relief Laws;  and no approval or consent of any
court or  governmental  entity is  required  for the  authorization,  execution,
delivery or  compliance  with this  Guaranty  which has not been  obtained  (and
copies thereof  delivered to Noteholders).  As used in this Paragraph 8, "DEBTOR
RELIEF LAWS" means the  Bankruptcy  Code of the United States of America and all
other   applicable   liquidation,   conservatorship,   bankruptcy,   moratorium,
rearrangement,  receivership, insolvency, reorganization, suspension of payments
or similar  debtor relief laws from time to time in effect  affecting the rights
of creditors generally.

        9. Guarantor  covenants and agrees that until the  Obligations  are paid
and performed in full,  except as otherwise  provided in the Credit Agreement or
unless Noteholders give their prior written consent to any deviation  therefrom,
it will (i) at all times  maintain  its  existence  and  authority  to  transact
business  in any State  where  Guarantor  has  assets and  operations;  and (ii)
promptly  deliver to Noteholders and to  Administrative  Agent such  information
respecting its business  affairs,  assets and  liabilities  as  Noteholders  may
reasonably  request.  The failure of  Guarantor to comply with the terms of this
paragraph shall be a Default under the Credit Agreement.

        10.  This  Guaranty  is  for  the  benefit  of  the  Noteholders,  their
successors  and assigns,  and in the event of an assignment by  Noteholders  (or
their successors or assigns) of the Obligations, or any part thereof, the rights
and benefits hereunder, to the extent applicable to the Obligations so assigned,
may be transferred  with such  Obligations.  Subject to the preceding  paragraph
hereof,  this  Guaranty  is  binding,  not only on  Guarantor,  but on the legal
representatives, successors and assigns of Guarantor.

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                                       85

        11. No  modification,  consent,  amendment or waiver of any provision of
this  Guaranty,  nor consent to any departure by Guarantor  therefrom,  shall be
effective  unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Required Banks, and
then shall be effective  only in the  specific  instance and for the purpose for
which given.  No notice to or demand on Guarantor in any case shall,  of itself,
entitle  Guarantor to any other or further  notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances.  No delay or omission by  Noteholders  in exercising any power or
right hereunder shall impair any such right or power or be construed as a waiver
thereof or any acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such power preclude other or further  exercise  thereof,  or the exercise of
any other  right or power  hereunder.  All rights and  remedies  of  Noteholders
hereunder are  cumulative of each other and of every other right or remedy which
Noteholders  may otherwise  have at law or in equity or under any other contract
or  document,  and the  exercise  of one or more  rights or  remedies  shall not
prejudice or impair the  concurrent  or  subsequent  exercise of other rights or
remedies.

        12. No provision  herein or in any  promissory  note,  instrument or any
other Loan Paper executed by Borrower or Guarantor  evidencing  the  Obligations
shall require the payment or permit the  collection of interest in excess of the
Maximum  Lawful Rate.  If any excess of interest in such respect is provided for
herein or in any such promissory note, instrument,  or any other Loan Paper, the
provisions of this paragraph  shall govern,  and neither  Borrower nor Guarantor
shall be obligated  to pay the amount of such  interest to the extent that it is
in excess of the amount  permitted by law. The intention of the parties being to
conform strictly to any applicable federal or state usury laws now in force, all
promissory  notes,  instruments  and other Loan  Papers  executed by Borrower or
Guarantor  evidencing the Obligations  shall be held subject to reduction to the
amount allowed under said usury laws as now or hereafter construed by the courts
having jurisdiction.

        13. If Guarantor  should breach or fail to perform any provision of this
Guaranty,  Guarantor agrees to pay Noteholders all costs and expenses (including
court  costs and  reasonable  attorneys  fees)  incurred by  Noteholders  in the
enforcement hereof.

        14. The liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall in no manner be
impaired,  affected  or  released by the  insolvency,  bankruptcy,  making of an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, arrangement,  compensation, composition
or readjustment of Borrower, or any proceedings affecting the status,  existence
or assets of  Borrower or other  similar  proceedings  instituted  by or against
Borrower and affecting the assets of Borrower.

        15.  Guarantor  understands  and agrees that any amounts of Guarantor on
account with  Noteholders  may be offset to satisfy the obligations of Guarantor
hereunder.

        16.  Guarantor  hereby  subordinates  and  makes  inferior  any  and all
indebtedness  now or at any time  hereafter owed by Borrower to Guarantor to the
Obligations evidenced by the Credit Agreement and agrees after the occurrence of
a Default under the Credit Agreement,  or any event which with notice,  lapse of
time, or both,  would  constitute a Default under the Credit  Agreement,  not to
permit  Borrower  to  repay,  or  to  accept  payment  from  Borrower  of,  such
indebtedness   or  any  part  thereof  without  the  prior  written  consent  of
Noteholders.

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                                       86

        17.  Guarantor  hereby waives any and all rights of subrogation to which
Guarantor may otherwise be entitled against Borrower,  or any other guarantor of
the Obligations,  as a result of any payment made by Guarantor  pursuant to this
Guaranty.

        18. As of the date hereof,  the fair  saleable  value of the property of
Guarantor is greater than the total amount of liabilities  (including contingent
and unliquidated  liabilities) of Guarantor, and Guarantor is able to pay all of
its  liabilities  as  such  liabilities  mature  and  Guarantor  does  not  have
unreasonably  small capital  within the meaning of Section 548, Title 11, United
States Code,  as amended.  In computing  the amount of  contingent or liquidated
liabilities,  such  liabilities have been computed at the amount which, in light
of all the facts and  circumstances  existing as of the date hereof,  represents
the  amount  that can  reasonably  be  expected  to become an actual or  matured
liability.

        19. If any provision of this Guaranty is held to be illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable,  such provision shall be fully severable;  this Guaranty shall be
construed and enforced as if such illegal,  invalid, or unenforceable  provision
had never  comprised a part hereof;  and the remaining  provisions  hereof shall
remain in full  force and  effect  and shall  not be  affected  by the  illegal,
invalid, or unenforceable  provision or by its severance herefrom.  Furthermore,
in lieu of such illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable  provision  there shall be
added  automatically  as a part of this Guaranty a provision as similar in terms
to such illegal,  invalid, or unenforceable  provision as may be possible and be
legal, valid and enforceable.

        20. (a) Except to the extent  required  for the exercise of the remedies
provided in the other security instruments, Guarantor hereby irrevocably submits
to the  nonexclusive  jurisdiction  of any Texas state or federal court over any
action or  proceeding  arising out of or relating to this  Guaranty or any other
Loan Paper, and Guarantor hereby  irrevocably  agrees that all claims in respect
of such action or proceeding  may be heard and determined in such Texas state or
federal  court.  Guarantor  hereby  irrevocably  waives,  to the fullest  extent
permitted by Law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying
of venue of any Litigation arising out of or in connection with this Guaranty or
any of the Loan Papers brought in district courts of Dallas County, Texas, or in
the United  States  District  Court for the Northern  District of Texas,  Dallas
Division.  Guarantor  hereby  irrevocably  waives any claim that any  Litigation
brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient  forum.  Guarantor
hereby  agrees to  designate  and  maintain  an agent for  service of process in
Dallas,  Texas  in  connection  with  any  such  Litigation  and to  deliver  to
Noteholders  evidence  thereof.  Guarantor  hereby  irrevocably  consents to the
service  of  process  out  of  any  of the  aforementioned  courts  in any  such
Litigation by the mailing of copies  thereof by certified  mail,  return receipt
requested,  postage prepaid, to Guarantor's office at 1625 Broadway Blvd., Suite
2200,  Denver,  Colorado  80202.  Guarantor  irrevocably  agrees  that any legal
proceeding against Noteholders shall be brought in the district courts of Dallas
County,  Texas, or in the United States District Court for the Northern District
of Texas, Dallas Division.  Nothing herein shall affect the right of Noteholders
to commence legal  proceedings  or otherwise  proceed  against  Guarantor in any
jurisdiction  or to serve process in any manner  permitted by applicable law. As
used herein,  the term  "LITIGATION"  means any  proceeding,  claim,  lawsuit or
investigation (i) conducted or threatened by or before any court or governmental
department,  commission,  board, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the United
States or of any state, commonwealth, nation, territory, possession,

GUARANTY (SWAT) - Page 87

                                       87

county,  parish,  or  municipality,  whether  now or  hereafter  constituted  or
existing,  or (ii)  pending  before any public or private  arbitration  board or
panel.

               (b) Nothing in this  PARAGRAPH  20 shall  affect any right of the
Noteholders  to serve  legal  process in any other  manner  permitted  by law or
affect the right of any  Noteholder  to bring any action or  proceeding  against
Guarantor either jointly or severally in the courts of any other jurisdictions.

               (c) To the extent that Guarantor has or hereafter may acquire any
immunity  from  jurisdiction  of any  court or from any legal  process  (whether
through service or notice,  attachment  prior to judgment,  attachment in aid of
execution,  execution  or  otherwise)  with  respect to itself or its  property,
Guarantor hereby  irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations
under this Guaranty and the other Loan Papers.

        21. THIS GUARANTY AND THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS  COLLECTIVELY  REPRESENT THE
FINAL AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE NOTEHOLDERS,  THE ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT AND THE
GUARANTOR AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS,  OR
SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE NOTEHOLDERS,  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE
GUARANTOR.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE NOTEHOLDERS,  THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE GUARANTOR.

        22.  GUARANTOR,   FOR  ITSELF,  ITS  SUCCESSORS  AND  ASSIGNS,  AND  THE
NOTEHOLDERS  HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW,
THEIR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL,  IN ANY LITIGATION  ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS.

        23.  THIS  GUARANTY  AND THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS  HAVE BEEN  EXECUTED  AND
DELIVERED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED  STATES OF
AMERICA,  EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF ANY STATE IN WHICH ANY  PROPERTY
INTENDED AS SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS IS LOCATED  NECESSARILY  GOVERN (A) THE
PERFECTION AND PRIORITY OF THE LIENS IN FAVOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT AND BANKS
WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PROPERTY,  AND (B) THE EXERCISE OF ANY REMEDIES  (INCLUDING
FORECLOSURE) WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PROPERTY.

        EXECUTED effective as of the date first above written.

                                                   GUARANTOR:

                                                   SOCO WATTENBERG CORPORATION,

                                                   a Delaware corporation

GUARANTY (SWAT) - Page 88

                                       88

                                                By:    /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
                                                           David J. Kornder,
                                                           Vice President

                                       89

                                    EXHIBIT D

                              REQUEST FOR BORROWING

        Reference is made to that certain Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement
dated  effective  as of  April  1,  1997  (as  from  time to time  amended,  the
"AGREEMENT")  by  and  among  Patina  Oil & Gas  Corporation  ("PATINA"),  Texas
Commerce Bank National  Association,  as  Administrative  Agent,  NationsBank of
Texas, N.A., as Documentary Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., CIBC, Inc. and Credit
Lyonnais New York Branch,  as Co-Agents,  and certain Banks as named and defined
therein.  Terms  which are defined in the  Agreement  and which are used but not
defined  herein are used herein with the meanings  given them in the  Agreement.
Pursuant to the terms of the  Agreement,  Patina hereby  requests a Borrowing in
the amount of $_____________ to be advanced on , .

        Patina  requests  that the Borrowing to be made  hereunder  shall be [AN
ADJUSTED  BASE RATE  BORROWING]  [A  EURODOLLAR  BORROWING]  and shall  have the
Interest Periods all as set forth below:

TYPE OF BORROWING            AGGREGATE AMOUNT                    INTEREST PERIOD

        Patina and the  Authorized  Officer of Patina  signing  this  instrument
hereby certify that:

               (a)  Such  officer  is the duly  elected,  qualified  and  acting
        officer of Patina as indicated below such officer's signature hereto.

               (b) The representations and warranties of Patina set forth in the
        Agreement  and the Loan Papers  delivered  to  Administrative  Agent and
        Banks are true and correct on and as of the date  hereof,  with the same
        effect as though such  representations  and  warranties had been made on
        and as of the date hereof or, if such representations and warranties are
        expressly  limited to particular  dates, as of such particular dates. No
        material  changes have occurred in the financial  condition of Patina or
        any of its  Subsidiaries  since the date of the last  financial  reports
        delivered to Banks pursuant to SECTION 8.1 of the Agreement.

               (c) There does not exist on the date  hereof,  any  condition  or
        event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, nor will any such
        Default or Event of Default exist upon Patina's  receipt and application
        of the proceeds  requested  hereby.  Patina will use the proceeds hereby
        requested in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Agreement.

                                       90

               (d) Patina has  performed and complied  with all  agreements  and
        conditions in the Agreement required to be performed or complied with by
        Patina  on or  prior  to the date  hereof,  and  each of the  conditions
        precedent to the Borrowing  contained in the Agreement  remain satisfied
        in all material respects.

               (e) After giving effect to the Borrowing  requested  hereby,  (i)
        the  Outstanding  Credit will not be in excess of the Borrowing  Base on
        the date requested for the making of such Borrowing.

       IN  WITNESS   WHEREOF,   this   instrument   is   executed   as  of ----,
     ----------------------- 19-- .


                          PATINA OIL & GAS CORPORATION,

                                            a Delaware corporation

                                            By:    /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
                                                       David J. Kornder,
                                            Its:       Vice President

                                       91

                                    EXHIBIT E

                          REQUEST FOR LETTER OF CREDIT

        Reference is made to that certain Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement
dated  effective  as of  April  1,  1997  (as  from  time to time  amended,  the
"AGREEMENT"),  by and  among  Patina  Oil & Gas  Corporation  ("PATINA"),  Texas
Commerce Bank National  Association,  as  Administrative  Agent,  NationsBank of
Texas,  N.A., as Documentary  Agent,  Wells Fargo Bank,  N.A.,  CIBC,  Inc., and
Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as Co-Agents,  and certain other Banks as named
and defined therein. Terms which are defined in the Agreement and which are used
but not  defined  herein are used  herein  with the  meanings  given them in the
Agreement.

        Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  Agreement,   Patina  hereby  requests
________________  ("ISSUER")  to issue a Letter of  Credit  for the  account  of
Patina  or  _______________________,  a  Restricted  Subsidiary  of  Patina,  as
follows:

               TYPE OF COMMITMENT:

               Requested Amount                    $
               Requested Date of Issuance
               Requested Expiration Date
               Summary of Terms
               (provide a brief description
               of conditions under which the
               drafts under such Letter of
               Credit are to be available)
               Beneficiary (Name/Address)




        Such Letter of Credit is more  particularly  described  in the Letter of
Credit Application and Agreement of Issuer which is attached hereto.

        Patina and the  Authorized  Officer of Patina  signing  this  instrument
hereby certify that:

               (a)  Such  officer  is the duly  elected,  qualified  and  acting
        officer of Patina as indicated below such officer's signature hereto.

               (b) The representations and warranties of Patina set forth in the
        Agreement and the other Loan Papers  delivered to  Administrative  Agent
        and Banks are true and  correct on and as of the date  hereof,  with the
        same effect as though such  representations and warranties had been made
        on and as of the date hereof, or if such  representations and warranties
        are expressly  limited to particular dates, as of such particular dates.
        No material changes have

                                        1

        occurred in the financial condition of Patina since the date of the last
        financial  reports  delivered  to Banks  pursuant  to Section 8.1 of the
        Agreement.

               (c) There  does not exist on the date  hereof  any  condition  or
        event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, nor will any such
        Default or Event of Default  exist  upon the  issuance  of the Letter of
        Credit requested hereby. Patina will use the Letter of Credit solely for
        purposes permitted by the Agreement.

               (d) Patina has  performed and complied  with all  agreements  and
        conditions in the Agreement required to be performed or complied with by
        Patina  on or  prior  to the date  hereof,  and  each of the  conditions
        precedent  to  the  issuance  of  Letters  of  Credit  contained  in the
        Agreement remain satisfied in all material respects.

               (e) After the issuance of the Letter of Credit requested  hereby,
        the sum of (A) the outstanding  principal  balance of the Loan, plus (B)
        the Letter of Credit  Exposure,  will not be in excess of the  Borrowing
        Base in effect on the date  requested for the issuance of such Letter of
        Credit.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this instrument is executed as of ________________,
19__.

                                            PATINA OIL & GAS CORPORATION

                                            a Delaware corporation

                                            By:    /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
                                                       David J. Kornder,
                                            Its:       Vice President

                                        2

                                    EXHIBIT F

                                 ROLLOVER NOTICE

        Reference is made to that certain Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement
dated  effective  as of  April  1,  1997  (as  from  time to time  amended,  the
"AGREEMENT"),  by and  among  Patina  Oil & Gas  Corporation  ("PATINA"),  Texas
Commerce Bank National  Association,  as  Administrative  Agent,  NationsBank of
Texas, N.A., as Documentary Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., CIBC, Inc. and Credit
Lyonnais,  as Co-Agents,  and certain Banks as named and defined therein.  Terms
which are defined in the Agreement and which are used but not defined herein are
used herein with the meanings given them in the Agreement.

        o      Reference  is  hereby  made to the  existing  Eurodollar  Tranche
               outstanding  under the Loan in the amount of  $________  which is
               subject to an  Interest  Period  expiring  on  _________________,
               199__.  Patina  hereby  requests  that on the  expiration of such
               Interest Period the portion of the principal of the Loan which is
               subject to such Tranche be made the subject of o an Adjusted Base
               Rate Tranche or o a Eurodollar  Tranche having an Interest Period
               of ____ months.

        o      Patina  hereby  requests  that on  __________________,  199__,  a
               portion  of the  principal  of the Loan in the  amount of $______
               which is currently  the subject of an Adjusted  Base Rate Tranche
               be made the subject of a  Eurodollar  Tranche  having an Interest
               Period of _____ months.

        Patina and the  Authorized  Officer of Patina  signing  this  instrument
hereby certify that:

               (a)  Such  officer  is the duly  elected,  qualified  and  acting
        officer of Patina as indicated below such officer's signature hereto;

               (b) There does not exist on the date hereof any condition or 
        event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default; and

               (c) The representations and warranties of Patina set forth in the
        Agreement  and the Loan Papers  delivered  to  Administrative  Agent and
        Banks are true and correct on and as of the date  hereof,  with the same
        effect as though such  representations  and  warranties had been made on
        and as of the date hereof or, if such representations and warranties are
        expressly limited to particular dates, as of such particular dates.

                                        3

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this instrument is executed as of              , 19    .
                                                        ---------------    ----

                                                   PATINA OIL & GAS CORPORATION

                             a Delaware corporation

                                                   By:    /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
                                                          David J. Kornder,

                                                   Its:   Vice President

                                        4

                                    EXHIBIT G

                       ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

        THIS  ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION  AGREEMENT  (this  "AGREEMENT") is dated
_____________________,  199__, among __________________________ ("ASSIGNOR") and
______________________________  ("ASSIGNEE")  and Texas  Commerce  Bank National
Association, as Administrative Agent for the Banks ("ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT").

                                   BACKGROUND.

        A.  Reference  is made to  that  certain  Amended  and  Restated  Credit
Agreement dated effective as of April 1, 1997 (as it may hereafter be amended or
otherwise  modified  from  time  to  time,  being  referred  to as  the  "CREDIT
AGREEMENT") among Patina Oil & Gas Corporation,  (the "BORROWER"), the financial
institutions  parties  thereto  as  Banks  thereunder,   Administrative   Agent,
NationsBank of Texas,  N.A., as Documentary  Agent,  and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
CIBC, Inc. and Credit Lyonnais,  as Co-Agents.  Unless otherwise defined,  terms
are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

        B.     This Agreement is made with reference to the following facts:

               (i)  Assignor  is a Bank  under  and  as  defined  in the  Credit
        Agreement and, as such,  presently  holds a percentage of the rights and
        obligations of Banks under the Credit Agreement.

               (ii) As of the date hereof,  the Total Commitment is $__________,
        Assignor's  Commitment is  $______________,  and  Assignor's  Commitment
        Percentage is _______%.

               (iii) As of the date hereof,  Assignor's Commitment Percentage of
        the outstanding principal balance of the Loan is $_______________.

               (iv) On the  terms  and  conditions  set  forth  below,  Assignor
        desires to sell and assign to Assignee, and Assignee desires to purchase
        and assume from  Assignor,  as of the Effective  Date (as defined below)
        ___________ percent (_______%) (the "ASSIGNED  PERCENTAGE") of the Total
        Commitment  (such  Assigned  Percentage  constitutes  percent  (  %)  of
        Assignor's Commitment).

                                        1

                                   AGREEMENT.

        NOW, THEREFORE, Assignor and Assignee hereby agree as follows:

        1. By this  Agreement,  and effective as of  _____________,  199_ (which
must be at least  five (5)  Domestic  Business  Days  after  the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement to Borrower and each Agent for acceptance),  Assignor
hereby sells and assigns to Assignee,  without  recourse and, except as provided
in PARAGRAPH 2 of this  Agreement,  without  representation  and  warranty,  and
Assignee  hereby  purchases  and assumes from  Assignor,  Assignor's  rights and
obligations under the Credit Agreement, to the extent of the Assigned Percentage
of the Loan, the Letter of Credit  Exposure,  and the Commitment as in effect on
the Effective Date.

        2.  Assignor  (a)  represents  and  warrants  that it is the  legal  and
beneficial  owner of the interest  being  assigned by it hereunder and that such
interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; (b) makes no  representation or
warranty  and  assumes  no  responsibility   with  respect  to  any  statements,
warranties  or  representations  made  in  or  in  connection  with  the  Credit
Agreement,  any other Loan Paper or any other  instrument or document  furnished
pursuant  thereto,  or  with  respect  to  the  execution,  legality,  validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or any
other Loan Paper or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto;
and (c) makes no representation  or warranty and assumes no responsibility  with
respect to the financial  condition of Borrower or any Person or the performance
or observance by Borrower or any Person of any of its obligations under the Loan
Papers or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

        3.  Assignee  (a)  confirms  that it has  received  a copy of the Credit
Agreement,  together  with  copies  of  the  most  recent  financial  statements
delivered to Assignor  pursuant to SECTION 8 of the Credit  Agreement,  and such
other  documents and  information  as it has deemed  appropriate to make its own
credit  analysis and decision to enter into this  Agreement;  (b) agrees that it
will,   independently  and  without  reliance  upon  the  Administrative  Agent,
Documentary  Agent,  Assignor or any other Bank and based on such  documents and
information as it shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own
credit  decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit  Agreement and
the other Loan Papers; (c) appoints and authorizes  Administrative Agent to take
such action as  administrative  agent on its behalf and to exercise  such powers
under the  Credit  Agreement  and the other  Loan  Papers  as are  delegated  to
Administrative  Agent by the terms  thereof,  together  with such  powers as are
reasonably  incidental  thereto;  (d) agrees that it will perform in  accordance
with  their  terms all of the  obligations  which,  by the  terms of the  Credit
Agreement  and the other Loan  Papers,  are  required to be performed by it as a
Bank; (e) specifies,  as its address for notice and Domestic  Lending Office and
Eurodollar  Lending  Office,  the  offices  set  forth  beneath  its name on the
signature  pages hereof,  and (f) if Assignee is not organized under the laws of
the United States of America or one of its states,  Assignee (a)  represents and
warrants to Assignor,  Administrative  Agent and Borrower  that (i) no Taxes are
required to be withheld by Administrative  Agent or Borrower with respect to any
payments to be made to Assignee in respect of the  Obligations and (ii) Assignee
has furnished to Administrative Agent and Borrower two (2) duly completed copies
of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 4224, Form 1001, Form W-8, or other
form acceptable

                                        2

to  Administrative  Agent that entitles  Assignee to exemption from U.S. federal
withholding Tax on all interest payments under the Loan Papers, (b) covenants to
(i) provide  Administrative  Agent and Borrower a new form 4224, Form 1001, Form
W-8, or other form  acceptable to  Administrative  Agent upon the  expiration or
obsolescence  of any previously  delivered form according to applicable laws and
regulations,  duly executed and completed by Assignee, and (ii) comply from time
to time with all applicable laws and regulations  with regard to the withholding
Tax  exemption,  and (c) agrees that if any of the  foregoing is not true or the
applicable  forms are not  provided,  then  Borrower  and  Administrative  Agent
(without  duplication) may deduct and withhold from interest  payments under the
Loan Papers any United States  federal  income Tax at the maximum rate under the
Code.

        4. Borrower acknowledges its obligations under the Credit Agreement, and
agrees,  within five (5) Domestic Business Days after receiving an executed copy
of this Agreement to execute and deliver to  Administrative  Agent,  in exchange
for the Note or Notes originally  delivered to Assignor,  new Notes to the order
of Assignor and  Assignee in amounts  equal to their  respective  amounts of the
Commitments.

        5. As of the Effective Date, (a) Assignee shall be a party to the Credit
Agreement  and, to the extent  provided in this  Agreement,  have the rights and
obligations of a Bank thereunder,  (b) Assignor shall, to the extent provided in
this Agreement, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under
the  Credit  Agreement  and other Loan  Papers,  and (c)  Assignor's  Commitment
Percentage shall be ______%, and Assignee's Commitment Percentage shall be --%.

        6. From and after the Effective  Date,  Administrative  Agent shall make
all payments  under the Credit  Agreement  in respect of the  interest  assigned
hereby (including, without limitation, all payments of principal, interest, fees
and other amounts with respect thereto) to Assignee. Assignor and Assignee shall
make all  appropriate  adjustments  in payments  under the Credit  Agreement for
periods prior to the Effective Date directly between themselves.

        7. This Agreement shall not become  effective until (a)  counterparts of
this  Agreement are executed and delivered by Assignor and Assignee to Borrower,
Administrative  Agent and each  Bank,  (b)  Borrower,  each  Agent and each Bank
execute such counterparts,  and (c)  Administrative  Agent receives a processing
fee of $2,500 from Assignor or Assignee.

     8. This Agreement  shall be governed by, and construed in accordance  with,
the laws of the State of Texas,  without  reference to principles of conflict of
laws.

                                            ASSIGNOR:

                                            By:
                                            Its:

                                        3

                                            ASSIGNEE:

ADDRESS FOR NOTICE:

                                            By:    /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
                                                       David J. Kornder,
                                            Its:       Vice President

Attn:
Tel:
Fax:

DOMESTIC LENDING OFFICE:

EURODOLLAR LENDING OFFICE:

Attn:
Tel:
Fax:

                              ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

                               TEXAS COMMERCE BANK

                              NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

                                            as Administrative Agent

                                            By:    /S/ DALE S. HURD
                                                       Dale S Hurd,
                                            Its:   Senior Vice President

BORROWER:

Accepted and approved this ____ day of ________________________, 199_:

                                        4

Patina Oil & Gas Corporation

By:     /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
            David J. Kornder,
Its:        Vice President

                                        5

                                    EXHIBIT H

                        CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP INTEREST

        This Certificate of Ownership Interest (this  "CERTIFICATE") is executed
and delivered  pursuant to that certain  Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement
dated  effective  as of  April 1,  1997  (as  amended  from  time to  time,  the
"AGREEMENT"),  by and  among  Patina  Oil & Gas  Corporation  ("PATINA"),  Texas
Commerce Bank National  Association,  as  Administrative  Agent,  NationsBank of
Texas,  N.A., as Documentary  Agent,  Wells Fargo Bank,  N.A.,  CIBC,  Inc., and
Credit Lyonnais,  as Co-Agents,  and certain Banks as named and defined therein.
Unless otherwise  defined herein,  all capitalized terms shall have the meanings
given such terms in the Agreement.

        In order to induce each Bank to enter into the Agreement and to make the
Loan thereunder,  Patina hereby  represents and warrants to each Bank that after
giving effect to the Merger, Patina holds good and valid title, beneficially and
of record, subject only to Permitted Encumbrances,  to the working interests and
net revenue  interests in and to all material oil and gas  properties  which are
set forth in the Current Reserve Report.

        Patina  acknowledges  and  agrees  that  each  Bank is  relying  on this
Certificate and the  representations and warranties herein contained in entering
into the Agreement and committing to make Loan thereunder,  and but for Patina's
execution  and  delivery  of this  Certificate,  Banks  would not enter into the
Agreement and commit to extend credit thereunder.

        Executed effective as of the 1st day of April, 1997.

                                                   PATINA OIL & GAS CORPORATION,

                                                   a Delaware corporation

                                                   By:    /S/ DAVID J. KORNDER
                                                              David J. Kornder,
                                                   Its:       Vice President

                                        6

                                   SCHEDULE 1



                             FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

               BANKS                  Commitment Amount    Commitment Percentage
                                                           
Texas Commerce Bank National             $27,500,000              19.643%
Association
NationsBank of Texas, N.A.               $25,000,000              17.857%
CIBC, Inc.                               $22,500,000              16.071%
Credit Lyonnais New York Branch          $22,500,000              16.071%
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.                   $22,500,000              16.071%
Bank One, Texas, N.A.                    $20,000,000              14.287%
Totals:                                 $140,000,000                100%
================================   =====================  ======================





 BANKS                    DOMESTIC LENDING OFFICE   EURODOLLAR LENDING OFFICE      ADDRESS FOR NOTICE
                                                                        
Texas Commerce Bank       2200 Ross Avenue,          2200 Ross Avenue,           2200 Ross Avenue,
                          3rd Floor                  3rd Floor                   3rd Floor
National Association      Dallas, Texas 75201        Dallas, Texas 75201         Dallas, Texas 75201
                          Fax No. (214) 965-2389     Fax No. (214) 965-2389      Fax No. (214) 965-2389

NationsBank of Texas,     901 Main Street,           901 Main Street,            901 Main Street, 64th Floor
N.A.                      64th Floor                 64th Floor                  64th Floor
                          Dallas, Texas 75202        Dallas, Texas 75202         Dallas, Texas 75202
                          Fax No. (214) 508-1285     Fax No. (214) 508-1285      Fax No. (214) 508-1285

CIBC, Inc.                2727 Paces Ferry Road,     2727 Paces Ferry Road,      909 Fannin,
                          Suite 1200                 Suite 1200                  Suite 1200
                          Atlanta, GA 30339          Atlanta, GA 30339           Houston, Texas 77010
                          Fax No. (770) 319-4950     Fax No. (770) 319-4950      Fax No. (713) 650-3727

Credit Lyonnais New York  1000 Louisiana,            1000 Louisiana,            1000 Louisiana,
Branch                    Suite 5360                 Suite 5360                  Suite 5360
                          Houston, Texas 77002       Houston, Texas 77002        Houston, Texas 77002
                          Fax No. (713) 751-0307     Fax No. (713) 751-0307      Fax No. (713) 751-0307

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.    633 Seventeenth Street,    633 Seventeenth Street,     633 Seventeenth Street,
                          3rd Floor, North Tower     3rd Floor, North Tower      3rd Floor, North Tower
                          Denver, Colorado 80270     Denver, Colorado 80270      Denver, Colorado 80270
                          Fax No. (303) 293-5120     Fax No. (303) 293-5120      Fax No. (303) 293-5120

Bank One, Texas, N.A.     500 Throckmorton,          Throckmorton,               500 Throckmorton, 
                          10th Floor                 10th Floor                  10th Floor
                          Ft. Worth, Texas 76102     Ft. Worth, Texas 76102      Ft. Worth, Texas 76102
                          Fax No. (817) 884-5622     Fax No. (817) 884-5622      Fax No. (817) 884-5622

========================  ========================== ==========================  ==========================


Administrative Agent - Address:

1111 Fannin, 9th Floor   with a copy to: 2200 Ross Avenue, 3rd Floor
Houston, Texas 77002                     Dallas, Texas 75201
Attn: Gale Manning                       Attn: Tim Perry
Fax: (713) 750-3810                      Fax: (214) 965-2389

Documentary Agent - Address:

901 Main Street, 64th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202
Fax: (214) 508-1285

                                   SCHEDULE 2

                                   INVESTMENTS

                                      None

                                   SCHEDULE 3

                                      TAXES

1.   Audit of federal income tax return for 1993. The claimed deficiency,  which
     Borrower will contest vigorously, is approximately $1,064,000.

2.   Audit of Colorado  income tax return for 1992. A notice of  deficiency  for
     taxes of $136,760 has been received, which Borrower is appealing.  Borrower
     has established reserves for this deficiency, plus interest.

3.   Audit of Colorado  sales and use taxes for 1990  through  1993. A notice of
     deficiency  has been received,  which  Borrower is appealing.  Borrower has
     established a reserve of $50,000.

4.   Audit of Colorado  severance tax returns for 1991 through 1993. A notice of
     deficiency  for taxes of  $478,363  has been  received,  which  Borrower is
     protesting. Borrower has established a reserve of $511,000.

                                   SCHEDULE 4



                                  SUBSIDIARIES

Name and                    Qualified                Issued and Outstanding         Options,
State of Incorporation      Jurisdictions            Stock and Holder               Warrants, Etc.
- ----------------------      -------------            ----------------               --------------
                                                                          
SOCO Wattenberg             Colorado                 1,000                          None
Corporation                 Nebraska                 Common
Delaware                                             Patina Oil & Gas Corporation

Patina Well Services, Inc.  Colorado                 100                            None
Colorado                                             Patina Oil & Gas Corporation



                                   SCHEDULE 5

                                   OBLIGATIONS

                                      None

                                   SCHEDULE 6



                                      DEBT

                                                          3/31/97

                                                          (000's)
                                                       
               Senior Bank Debt                              87,450

               Senior Subordinated Notes                     99,891

               Total Debt                                   187,341
                                                            =======